Seroprevalence of hepatitis B and C viruses: Awareness and safe practices of hairdressers in Izmir — A survey

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of the study is to determine the seroprevalence of hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in barbers and to assess the awareness of these employees related to occupational risks of HBV and HCV. Materials and Methods: In this study, 2145 barbers in Izmir were given an occupational safety seminar. Blood samples were collected from 2066 voluntary participants and 1284 individuals completed the questionnaires. Sera were tested for the presence of HBV and HCV markers by ELISA. Results: Our results document low levels of knowledge about HBV and HCV infection, risk perception and adequate protection among participants before the seminar session. Of the participants, 63.5% reported that they had suffered from equipment-related injuries during the last month. The prevalence of HBsAg positive and anti-HCV individuals of the 2066 person was found to be 2.2% and 0.4%, respectively. Conclusions: Hairdressers' knowledge of HBV, HCV and health hazards associated with their profession was inadequate. The prevalence of HBsAg positive and anti-HCV was similar to that among the general population.

Prevalence of Hepatitis B Virus and Hepatitis C Virus Infections among Beauticians in Quy Nhon City, Binh Dinh Province, Vietnam

“…This HCV prevalence was different from other studies among beauticians in Ghana (0.5%), 30 Brazil (0.8%), 10 Izmir, Turkey (0.9%), 29 Morocco (1.7%), 28 Teheran, Iran (2.0%), 25 Sivas, Turkey (2.8%), 37 and Pakistan (6.97%). 38 We may not have had a sufficient sample size to detect HCV infection in a low prevalence population, and we calculated our sample size based on estimating HBV prevalence, not HCV prevalence.…”

“…Comparing HBV prevalence among beauticians in our study with studies among beauticians in other countries, our study population had a higher HBV prevalence than that from studies in Iran (1.1%), 25 Morocco (1.9%), 28 Turkey (2.2%), 29 and Brazil (0%), 10 but a lower prevalence than that from Ghana (14.5%).…”

Seroprevalence of hepatitis B and hepatitis C: A community based study conducted in İzmir, Turkey

“…Afşar et al reported that 1.38% of blood donors had HBsAg positivity 15 . Köse et al reported that 2.2% of the barbers and hairdressing employees in İzmir were positive for HBsAg and 0.4% of them were positive for Anti-HCV 16 .…”

“…Anti-HCV seroprevalence was reported as 0.54% in a total of 1,076,495 units of blood 1 . In the study conducted in an İzmir hospital, the prevalence of Anti-HCV among blood donors was 0.42% 16 . Similarly, Yazan-Sertöz et al found a 0.3% rate of Anti-HCV positivity among 4537 blood donors in İzmir 14 .…”

Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B and C Virus Infection Among Barbers in Isfahan Province, Iran

“…Previous studies have indicated that in developed countries, certain beauty treatments play an important role in the speared of HBV and HCV infection among barbers and their clients (8). Hepatitis B virus can survive on the instrument, tabletops and workbenches for at least seven days; therefore, it is important for the barbers to know their HBV status by being screened for the HBV surface antigen and antibody and to be vaccinated against HBV if found to be unprotected (4,9). Safe and protective vaccine against HBV is available throughout world including Iran.…”