title: Prevalence of Blood Brotherhood among High School Students in Erzurum and the Effect of Peer-led Education on this Practice.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to assess the prevalence of blood brotherhood (BB) in Erzurum, Turkey and to observe the effect of education interventions on this risky cultural behavior.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study was designed as a cross-sectional intervention, based on minor interventions through a peer-led awareness campaign regarding the transfer of blood-borne diseases through BB rites. This study was conducted from February through May 2007 at 29 high schools in Erzurum.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study population was 53.8% (n=1,522) males and 46.2% (n=1,307) females. The proportion of the students who have participated in BB rituals was 24.1% (n=558). There was a statistically significant link between BB and a history of having Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infection, family history of HBV and male gender (p<0.05). After the structured peer-led education the intention to participate in BB rituals decreased from 30.0% to 20.6% (p<0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prevention of BB rituals, which can result in the transfer of blood-borne diseases, requires urgent public awareness campaigns led by healthcare professionals.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, Ataturk University Faculty of Medicine, Erzurum, Turkey.
authors.forename: Memet
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Isik
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, Ataturk University Faculty of Medicine, Erzurum, Turkey.
authors.forename: Turan
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Set
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, Ataturk University Faculty of Medicine, Erzurum, Turkey.
authors.forename: Abdul
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sattar Khan
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Education, Ataturk University Faculty of Medicine, Erzurum, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ummu Zeynep
authors.initials: UZ
authors.lastname: Avsar
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Education, Ataturk University Faculty of Medicine, Erzurum, Turkey.
authors.forename: Zeliha
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Cansever
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Education, Ataturk University Faculty of Medicine, Erzurum, Turkey.
authors.forename: Hamit
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Acemoglu
keywords: AIDS; Hepatitis B; Hepatitis C; blood brotherhood; risky cultural habits