title: Seroprevalence of hepatitis B and C viruses: awareness and safe practices of hairdressers in Izmir: a survey.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  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.
  
  
  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.
authors.affiliation: Infectious Diseases and Clinic Microbiology Department, Tepecik Training and Research Hospital, Izmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Sukran
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kose
authors.forename: Aliye
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mandiracioglu
authors.forename: Ahmet Murat
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Oral
authors.forename: Mestan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Emek
authors.forename: Ayhan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gozaydin
authors.forename: Lutfiye
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kuzucu
authors.forename: Melda
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Turken
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001461:Barbering / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology*; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016272:Occupational Health; D015995:Prevalence; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies