Seroprevalence of hepatitis B and C among barbers and their clients in the Rabat region of Morocco

Belbacha, Imane; Cherkaoui, Imad; Akrim, Mohammed; Dooley, KE; Aouad, Rajae El

doi:10.26719/2011.17.12.911

Cited by 21 publications

(24 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…Thus, we found that being a barber alone is not a potential risk factor for HBV infection, although the opposite has been shown in other countries (18, 20). Based on similar studies in other countries, the prevalence of HBsAg in Egyptian barbers and their clients is 4.2% and 3.9%, respectively, while the rates are 8.5% and 1.9% among Turkish and Moroccan barbers, respectively (18, 21, 22). …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 82%

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

et al. 2016

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BackgroundHepatitis 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.ObjectivesThe 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.MethodsSix 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.ResultsThere 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).ConclusionsBeing 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.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 82%

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

et al. 2016

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“…A survey of anti-HCV antibodies among barbers and their clients indicated that the prevalence rate hovered above 5%, probably because of unsanitary conditions [34]. This problem could also exist in Libya, where most of the hairdressers are Moroccans.…”

Section: Epidemiology Of Hcv In the Maghreb Regionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Habits and cultural factors that may influence the spread of HCV in North African countries include male and female circumcision, particularly in Egypt, Sudan, Mauritania, and Morocco. Hijiama (bloodletting) done by informal practitioners, tattooing, folk body piercing and threading, sharing hygiene tools and sharp items, and the use of communal barbers may be considered as risk factors for HCV, particularly among rural dwellers [21, 34]. Education and public awareness campaigns are needed to teach the populations about the risks involved.…”

Section: Vectors Of Hcv Transmission In the North Africamentioning

confidence: 99%

Hepatitis C Virus in North Africa: An Emerging Threat

Daw

El-Bouzedi

Ahmed

et al. 2016

The Scientific World Journal

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Hepatitis C virus is a major public health threat associated with serious clinical consequences worldwide. North Africa is a unique region composed of seven countries that vary considerably in the predisposing factors to microbial diseases both historically and at the present time. The dynamics of HCV in the region are not well documented. The data are both limited and controversial in most of the countries in the region. In North Africa, the epidemiology of HCV is disparate and understanding it has been hampered by regional “epidemiological homogeneity” concepts. As the dynamics of HCV vary from country to country, context-specific research is needed. In this review, we assess studies performed in each country in the general populations as well as among blood donors and groups exposed to the HCV infection. The reported prevalence of HCV ranges from 0.6% to 8.4% in the Maghreb countries and is predominated by genotype 1. In the Nile valley region, it ranges from 2.2% to 18.9% and is dominated by genotype 4. In North African countries, HCV seems to be a serious problem that is driven by different vectors even in different geographical locations within the same country. Efforts should be combined at both the national and regional levels to implement efficient preventive and treatment strategies.

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“…Most studies have reported no significant difference in the HBV prevalence between barbers and the control group (determined by the presence of serum HBsAg) [17][18][19]. A study from Turkey reported a higher HBV prevalence among barbers; however, it is also important to consider its limitations [20].…”

Section: O R I G I N a L P A P E R In Abbasi Et Almentioning

confidence: 99%

Prevalence of hepatitis B virus infection among barbers and their knowledge, attitude and practices in the district of Sukkur, Sindh

Abbasi¹,

Fatmi²,

Kadir³

et al. 2014

IJOMEH

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Objectives: Several occupations in developing countries lag behind in ensuring the safety of their workers in occupational settings. Lack of implementation of safety guidelines at workplaces can expose workers to health risks. In Pakistan, barbers are one of the un-regulated occupational groups. Low literacy, increased frequency of direct skin contact and blade/razors use can expose barbers to body fluids including blood of the customers. We conducted this study in order to determine hepatitis B virus (HBV) prevalence among barbers and their knowledge, attitude and practices in a peri-urban district of Sindh. Material and Methods: Three hundred eighty-five barbers from the Sukkur district were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Blood samples were collected and tested for HBsAg. A scale was built to determine the proportions of responses to knowledge, attitude and practice items. Results: The prevalence of HBV among barbers was 2.1%. The barbers' knowledge on HBV and its transmission routes was poor. The response to attitude items was good, except that only 35.1% of the participants agreed to have vaccination against HBV. The overall performance on the knowledge and practice scales was poor compared to the attitude scale on which 80% of the barbers performed well. Conclusion: The prevalence of HBV among barbers was lower compared to the available national figures for the prevalence among the general population.

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Seroprevalence of hepatitis B and C among barbers and their clients in the Rabat region of Morocco

Cited by 21 publications

References 15 publications

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

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

Hepatitis C Virus in North Africa: An Emerging Threat

Prevalence of hepatitis B virus infection among barbers and their knowledge, attitude and practices in the district of Sukkur, Sindh

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