Analysis of Knowledge, Attitudes, and Prevalence of Hepatitis B and C Seromarkers Among Barbers in Tehran
| Author | Tahereh Khairkhah | en |
| Author | Ayat Shamsa | en |
| Author | Azam Roohi | en |
| Author | Jalal Khoshnoodi | en |
| Author | Fatemeh Vand-Rajabpour | en |
| Author | Mina Tabrizi | en |
| Author | Saeed Zarei | en |
| Author | Forough Golsaz-Shirazi | en |
| Author | Fazel Shokri | en |
| Issued Date | 2016-09-01 | en |
| Abstract | Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections are major health problem in the world. Hairdressers (barbers) are in continuous contact with scissors and blades, and are considered a high-risk group for these infections. Objectives: The aim of this study was to analyze the prevalence of hepatitis B and C infections in barbers in Tehran and to evaluate their attitudes and knowledge about the occupational risk of these infections. Methods: Six hundred eleven barbers were included in this study. A group of 556 bakers were also selected from the same regions, as a low-risk control group. Serum levels of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), HBsAg-specific antibody (HBsAb), hepatitis B core antigen-specific antibody (HBcAb), and hepatitis C virus-specific (anti-HCV) antibody markers were measured with the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Participants were interviewed using a questionnaire consisting of four sections: demographic information, awareness, behavior, and personal attitudes. Results: There were no significant differences in the frequency of HBsAg between the two groups. However, the frequency of HCV Ab in barbers was significantly higher than that in bakers (P < 0.005). In addition, the frequency of HBsAb marker in barbers was significantly correlated with increased awareness (P < 0.05) and number of tattoos (P < 0.001). HBcAb marker was significantly correlated with age (P < 0.001) and duration of professional career (P < 0.005). With age, barbers’ attitudes improved significantly (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Being a barber alone is not a potential risk factor for HBV infection, while HCV infection is still an occupational health hazards for barbers. We suggest more extensive case-control studies with regard to rates of hepatitis B and C markers among barbers in other Iranian cities to assess the incidence of hepatitis B and C infections among this population. | en |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.5812/hepatmon.39416 | en |
| Keyword | Hepatitis B Infection | en |
| Keyword | Hepatitis C Infection | en |
| Keyword | Hepatitis B Antigen | en |
| Keyword | Hepatitis C Antibody | en |
| Keyword | Barbers | en |
| Publisher | Brieflands | en |
| Title | Analysis of Knowledge, Attitudes, and Prevalence of Hepatitis B and C Seromarkers Among Barbers in Tehran | en |
| Type | Research Article | en |
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