Analysis of Knowledge, Attitudes, and Prevalence of Hepatitis B and C Seromarkers Among Barbers in Tehran.
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.


OBJECTIVE
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.
East Health Center, Deputy of Health Affairs, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
Tahereh
T
Khairkhah
Faculty of Medicine, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, IR Iran.
Ayat
A
Shamsa
Department of Immunology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran; Department of Molecular Medicine, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
Azam
A
Roohi
Department of Immunology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
Jalal
J
Khoshnoodi
Department of Medical Genetics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
Vand Fatemeh
VF
Rajabpour
Department of Medical Genetics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
Mina
M
Tabrizi
Monoclonal Antibody Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, IR Iran.
Saeed
S
Zarei
Department of Immunology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
Forough
F
Golsaz-Shirazi
Department of Immunology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran; Monoclonal Antibody Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, IR Iran.
Fazel
F
Shokri
Barbers; Hepatitis B Antigen; Hepatitis B Infection; Hepatitis C Antibody; Hepatitis C Infection