Assessing knowledge, attitude, and practice of barbers, beauticians and tattoo artists regarding transmission of Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C virus in Ulaanbaatar city

Abstract

Background: According to World Health Organization,350 million people worldwide are chronically infected with Hepatitis B virus and 170 million people are infected with Hepatitis C virus. Studies in Mongolia have shown that within the cause of hepatocyte carcinoma 45% is Hepatitis C, 35% is Hepatitis B and 14% is co-infections with Hepatitis B, C. Mongolia ranks first in the world in terms of death due to hepatocyte carcinoma per 100,000 population, which is 8 times higher than the world average, and is considered a country where Hepatitis B virus infection is endemic. Moreover, HBV and HCV infections have also been implicated as an occupational hazard of the barbers, beauticians and tattoo artists in developing countries. Data on the infection, knowledge, attitude and practice of barbers, beauticians and tattoo artists about HBV and HCV in Mongolia are lacking. Hence the study was aimed to investigate them. Materials and Methods: To estimate infection rate and to assess knowledge, attitude, practice among barbers, beauticians, and tattoo artists regarding Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C infection in Ulaanbaatar city of Mongolia. 361 people working as barbers, beauticians, and tattoo artists will be selected and subjected to the study by random sampling using a cross-sectional study of observational research. Results: 84% of participants are women,16% of participants are men.61% of them had some kind of risky injury by accidentally cutting, scratching their hands, or poking them with needles while working. Among the participants, 52% were tested for Hepatitis B and C viruses, and 6% were diagnosed with Hepatitis virus infection and are under the supervision of a gastroenterologist. Blood test showed that 8.6% of them were infected by HCV and 6.7% of them were infected by HBV.17% were vaccinated against Hepatitis B virus. Among participants, 68% of them knew that HBV and HCV are viral diseases, 76% of them knew that it can be transmitted through blood, 84% of them knew that it can be transmitted through unsterilized tools, 69% of them knew that it can cause cirrhosis and liver cirrhosis. The use of disinfection and disposable tools in barbershops and beauty salons is 77%. Conclusion: Infection rate of HBV and HCV among barbers, beauticians, and tattoo artists is 15.3%. Knowledge and practice of Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C infection among barbers, beauticians, and tattoo artists are sufÏcient.