title: Seroprevalence of hepatitis B and C among barbers and their clients in the Rabat region of Morocco.
abstract: A cross-sectional seroepidemiological study was conducted in the Rabat-Salé-Zemmour-Zaër region of Morocco in 2007 among 267 barbers and 529 clients, all men with no history of hepatitis B (HBV) vaccination. The overall prevalence of HBV seropositivity was 28.1% in barbers and 25.1% in clients; 1.9% and 1.7% respectively had active HBV (HBsAg positive). Risk factors for HBV included older age, low educational level, urban living, being married, history of transfusion, lack of current heterosexual relationship and liver-associated symptoms. Observations showed that HBV seropositivity was lower in clean barbershops and those using alum as an antispetic. The rate of PCR-confirmed hepatitis C virus (HCV) was only 1.1% and 1.3% in barbers and clients respectively, and was associated with increased age, drug use, history of surgery and symptoms of liver disease. Less than 1% of barbers were aware of HBV or HCV as causative agents of liver disease or jaundice.
authors.affiliation: AIDS and Hepatitis Unit, Department of Immunology and Virology, National Institute of Hygiene, Rabat, Morocco. Imanbelbacha@yahoo.fr
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Belbacha
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Cherkaoui
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Akrim
authors.forename: K E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Dooley
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: El Aouad
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001461:Barbering; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009018:Morocco / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies