ABSTRACT
Hepatitis B and C virus (HBV/HCV) infections are serious global health problems. Shaving by barbers has been identified as the key risk factor for spread of HBV. We conducted a cross-sectional survey of barbers in Hyderabad city, Pakistan in 2007 to establish their knowledge and attitudes to the risk of HBV and HCV transmission and their working patterns. Observations showed that 96.2% washed razors with antiseptic after each client and 95.7% used a new blade with new clients. However, knowledge about the diseases and modes of transmission were poor and only 36.6% knew that hepatitis can be transmitted via shaving instruments. Only 3.2% of 186 barbers were vaccinated against HBV. Strategies are needed for raising awareness and regulations of barbers' practices.
Subject(s)
Attitude to Health , Barbering , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Hepatitis B/prevention & control , Hepatitis C/prevention & control , Adolescent , Adult , Barbering/education , Barbering/methods , Barbering/statistics & numerical data , Cross-Sectional Studies , Disinfection/methods , Disinfection/statistics & numerical data , Educational Measurement , Hand Disinfection , Health Services Needs and Demand , Hepatitis B/epidemiology , Hepatitis B/transmission , Hepatitis C/epidemiology , Hepatitis C/transmission , Humans , Pakistan/epidemiology , Risk Factors , Risk Reduction Behavior , Surveys and Questionnaires , Urban Population/statistics & numerical data , Vaccination/statistics & numerical dataABSTRACT
Hepatitis B and C virus [HBV/HCV] infections are serious global health problems. Shaving by barbers has been identified as the key risk factor for spread of HBV. We conducted a cross-sectional survey of barbers in Hyderabad city, Pakistan in 2007 to establish their knowledge and attitudes to the risk of HBV and HCV transmission and their working patterns. Observations showed that 96.2% washed razors with antiseptic after each client and 95.7% used a new blade with new clients. However, knowledge about the diseases and modes of transmission were poor and only 36.6% knew that hepatitis can be transmitted via shaving instruments. Only 3.2% of 186 barbers were vaccinated against HBV. Strategies are needed for raising awareness and regulations of barbers' practices
Subject(s)
Hepatitis B , Hepatitis C , Barbering , Cross-Sectional Studies , Surveys and Questionnaires , Awareness , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, PracticeABSTRACT
Over 4 years, 43 cases of severe aplastic anaemia (SAA) were seen. Etiologically 58.1% had idiopathic, 39.5% secondary and 2.3% congenital aplastic, anaemia. Idiopathic SAA was more common in patients between 0-15 years of age, whereas secondary SAA was more frequent in 16-60 years age group. Males were more commonly affected with a male:female ratio of 3.3:1. Amongst 17 cases of secondary SAA, chloramphenicol was responsible for 4, septran for 3, insecticides for 2 and anti-scabitic drugs, anti-diabetic drugs and "kushta from hakeem" in one patient each. Hepatitis associated SAA was suspected in 3 cases.
