Role of beauty treatment in the spread of parenterally transmitted hepatitis viruses in Italy

Abstract

The aims of the study were to evaluate the role of beauty treatments in the spread of acute viral hepatitis B (HBV) and acute viral hepatitis C (HCV) in Italy. Data from the surveillance system for acute viral hepatitis (SEIEVA) during the period 1997-2002 were used. After exclusion of subjects <15 years or >55 years old and reporting intravenous drug use or blood transfusion, the association of acute HBV and HCV cases with beauty treatments (tattooing, piercing, manicure/chiropody, and barber shop shaving) was estimated comparing 2,964 hepatitis B and 598 hepatitis C cases with 7,221 hepatitis A cases, used as controls, by multiple logistic regression analysis. The population attributable risk (PAR) to beauty treatments was estimated according to Levin's formula. Beauty treatments were associated with acute HBV (OR = 1.8; CI 95% = 1.5-2.1) and acute HCV (OR = 1.7; CI 95% = 1.2-2.3). The strongest association was found with barber shop shaving for HBV (OR = 1.8; CI 95% = 1.5-2.2) and with tattooing for HCV cases (OR = 5.6; CI 95% = 2.8-11.0). The estimates of the population attributable risk (PAR) indicate that nearly 15% of all acute HBV (17.4% in males) and 11.5% of all acute HCV cases (16.4% in males) occurring in 15-55 year old subjects not exposed to intravenous drugs or blood transfusion in Italy are due to beauty treatments. It is concluded that certain beauty treatments play an important role in the spread of HBV and HCV infections in Italy.

Prevalence of Hepatitis B Virus and Hepatitis C Virus Infections among Beauticians in Quy Nhon City, Binh Dinh Province, Vietnam

“…31 Our result was similar to previous studies conducted in Vietnam that indicated that HBV genotype B was the most prevalent (63.0%-72.6%) followed by genotype C (18.0%-28.0%). [32][33][34][35] Like other studies, 5,6,23,24,28,36 our results also showed no statistically significant association between possible occupational risk factors for HBV infection among beauticians. However, some studies have suggested that beauticians are a high-risk group for HBV and HCV infections based on the statistically significant difference in prevalence among case and control groups, 24,36,37 or by comparing HBV infected cases with HAV infected cases as a control group.…”

“…Several studies reported that beauty treatment activities, especially shaving and tattooing, might be associated with HBV and HCV infections. [5][6][7][23][24][25] Our study demonstrated that the prevalence of HBV infection among beauticians in Quy Nhon City, Binh Dinh province was 7.3% (95% CI: 4.4-11.3). This result was similar to the reported global HBV prevalence, indicating that Viet Nam was classified as a region of high-intermediate level of HBV infection (5-8%).…”

“…However, some studies have suggested that beauticians are a high-risk group for HBV and HCV infections based on the statistically significant difference in prevalence among case and control groups, 24,36,37 or by comparing HBV infected cases with HAV infected cases as a control group. 6 A systematic review and meta-analysis found that tattooing was a risk factor for HCV transmission in particular, but only in a non-professional setting. 23 Environmental contamination of HBV DNA on used razors was detected in one study, suggesting that transmission through the reuse of sharp grooming tools is possible.…”

“…3 Previous reports have suggested that beauty treatments, such as cosmetic tattooing, 4 manicuring and pedicuring, haircutting, and shaving might pose a risk for the transmission of bloodborne viruses, particularly HBV and HCV. 5,6 Beauticians may be accidentally exposed to clients' blood or body fluids while providing treatments. Additionally, reusing razors or sharing inadequately sterilized equipment is a risk factor for blood-borne virus transmission.…”

Assessing the level of awareness and vaccination status of Hepatitis B among young female community of Pakistan

“…A study conducted in Pakistan showed that women misjudge the approach for transmission , symptom and risks associated with disease though mass population was aware of the cause of disease 7 . Nazir reported that around 92% of subjects are aware of hepatitis B infection, only 16.4% of all the students have gone through the test of HBV infection and 37.5% students had taken the hepatitis B vaccine. Never thought of vaccination, lack of motivation, afraid of needles, lack of belief, and no need felt were the common reasons when they were inquired about not taking the hepatitis B vaccine 8 .…”