Magnitude of Hepatitis B Virus among Barbers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Special Article - Hepatitis

Austin Hepatol. 2018; 3(1): 1008.

Magnitude of Hepatitis B Virus among Barbers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Shure W1*, Desta K1, Diriba R1, G/Egzabixier A2 and Benti G3

1Department of Medical Laboratory, University of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

2Department of Virology, Ethiopian Public Health Institute, Ethiopia

3Department of Masters of Public Health, Africa Medical College, Ethiopia

*Corresponding author: Shure W, Department of Medical Laboratory, University of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Received: August 27, 2018; Accepted: October 10, 2018; Published: October 17, 2018

Abstract

Background: Viral hepatitis is a major health problem worldwide. Hepatitis B is very contagious compared to other blood born viruses. For barbers, the use of blades and razors is part of their occupation, which can expose them to blood of customers while shaving and hair cutting.

Methods: A work place based cross sectional study was conducted among 400 barbers in selected sub cities of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Study subjects were selected by using convenience sampling method. Data on sociodemographic factors and associated factors were collected using pretested questionnaires. HBsAg was done using ELISA technique and data was analyzed by using SPSS version 20.

Results: Out of 400 barbers tested, 15 were positive for HBsAg giving an overall magnitude of 3.75% (15/400). Among unmarried or single participants 11 (3.92%) were positive (χ2=0.45, P=0.93). The overall serological results were not statistically associated with socio demographic characteristics.

Conclusion: The magnitude of HBsAg was 3.75%. In this study, most barbers had poor knowledge about the etiology, symptom, transmission and prevention of hepatitis B. Moreover, all of the study participants did not vaccinated due to lack of knowledge about the presence of HBV vaccine.

Keywords: HBsAg; Magnitude; Barbers

Introduction

Viral hepatitis is a major health problem worldwide. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is of the greatest concern due to its burden of illness and death. WHO and the U.S Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimate that over 500 million people are currently living with chronic viral hepatitis and globally around 2 billion people have been infected with hepatitis B virus with around 1 million people die every year due to complications of hepatitis B, including cirrhosis and liver cancer [1,2]. HBV can cause both acute and chronic diseases [3,1]. Hepatitis B virus is 50-100 times more infectious than human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and 10 times more infectious than hepatitis C virus (HCV) and an infectious dose is so low that a contaminated razor or blade can easily transmit the infection [4,5].

The hepatitis B virus can survive in the environment for at least 7 days. During this time, the virus can still cause infection if it enters the body of a person who is not protected by the vaccine. It can also spread by percutaneous or mucosal exposure to infected blood and various body fluids, as well as through saliva, menstrual, vaginal, and seminal fluids. Infection in adulthood leads to chronic hepatitis in less than 5% of cases. In addition, infection can occur during medical, surgical and dental procedures, through tattooing, or through the use of razors and similar objects that are contaminated with infected blood or during barbershop shaving [1].

Razor sharing and shaves from the barbers have been identified as an important risk factors for blood-borne viruses spread as several investigations carried out all over the world demonstrate this facts. In many parts of Africa and Asia, the widespread cultural practice of shaving at a shop or roadside barber is an underestimated route of blood-borne viral disease transmission [6]. For barbers, the use of blades and razors is part of their occupation, which can expose them to blood of customers while shaving and hair cutting. This exposure can put them at risk of many blood-borne diseases including viral hepatitis [7].

In Ethiopia different studies tried to show prevalence rates of Hepatitis B virus infections in various groups like pregnant women, health care workers, blood donors, medical waste handlers and others [8-10]. However, there is no data in Ethiopia on magnitude of Hepatitis B virus infection among barbers.

Methodology

A work place based cross-sectional study design was used to determine the magnitude of Hepatitis B virus among 400 barbers in selected Sub cities of Addis Ababa Ethiopia. A structured pretested questionnaire was given to each participant by trained health professionals. The participants were free to seek further explanation or clarification from the trained personnel or investigator on the sections of the questionnaire that are not clear to them. From barbers who gave consent blood sample was obtained and tested for presence or absence of HBsAg by using ELISA method. All data obtained from the study was analyzed. Statistical calculation was done using SPSS version 20. Chi square (X2) test was employed to examine the significant association between variables where applicable. Statistical significance was set at 0.05.

Citation:Shure W, Desta K, Diriba R, G/Egzabixier A and Benti G. Magnitude of Hepatitis B Virus among Barbers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Austin Hepatol. 2018; 3(1): 1008.