Seroepidemiological study of Hepatitis B virus infection in barbers in the Zahedan region of Iran

authors:

avatar Batool Sharifi-Mood 1 , * , avatar Esmail Sanei-Moghadam 2 , avatar Masoud Salehi 1 , avatar Soheila Khosravi 2

Tropical and Infectious diseases dept, Faculty of Medicine, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences and health services, Zahedan, Iran.
South eastern Center of Blood Transfusion, Zahedan, Iran.
Zahedan Journal of Research in Medical Sciences: Vol.6, issue 4; e94981
published online: November 01, 2004
article type: Research Article
received: June 18, 2004
accepted: August 29, 2004

how to cite: Sharifi-Mood B , Sanei-Moghadam E, Salehi M, Khosravi S. Seroepidemiological study of Hepatitis B virus infection in barbers in the Zahedan region of Iran. Zahedan J Res Med Sci. 2004;6(4):e94981. 

Abstract

Background: Barbers in Iran may often be exposed accidentally to the blood or bloody fluids of
the customers. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of HBV infection in the
barbers.
Methods and Materials: This study was a case-control survey. We conducted a
seroepidemiological study to determine the prevalence of HBs Ag and antibody against HBc Ag
(anti- HBc) among the103 barber and 110 control subjects in the Zahedan, a city in south eastern
of Iran.
Results:The prevalence of HBV was found to be higher in the barbers (27%, CI=95%, 18.3, 35.7)
than in the comparison group (9.98%, CI=95%,4.3,15.7). Twenty – one (75%) contaminated
barbers Hepatitis B had more than five years duration of occupation. A significant relationship was
found with the duration of occupation and Infection in the barbers (P<0.001). Among the
seropositive subjects, it was found, that the most of them (89.3%) had been exposed to scissor cuts.
(P=0.005)
Conclusions: Our data suggest that HBV infection may constitute occupational hazards for the
barbers.

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References

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