Evaluation of knowledge and practice of hairdressers in men's beauty salons in Isfahan about hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and AIDS in 2010 and 2011

BACKGROUND: Blood-borne viruses such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) have infected millions of people worldwide. During haircut or shaving, barbers may accidentally expose to their clients’ blood, transmit their own infection to them, or transmit the infection from one client to another. So the knowledge of barbers toward topics related to AIDS, hepatitis B, and C are of great importance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional descriptive study was performed in 2010–2011 in men's beauty salons in Isfahan town. A multistage sampling was performed. The knowledge assessment questionnaire and the checklist of practice regarding hepatitis B, C, and AIDS were completed by trained interviewers. RESULTS: In our study, 240 hairdressers participated. There was a statistically significant relationship between the education level and knowledge score of the hairdressers (P = 0.048). We found a statistically significant relationship between the knowledge level and the working history of hairdressers according to the Pearson's correlation coefficient (P = 0.02). The results show significant relationship between the education level and the practice scores (P = 0.005). Also the working history of hairdressers and their practice score had a significant relationship (P = 0.005). The results did not show significant relationship between the age of the hairdressers and the practice scores (P = 0.12). CONCLUSIONS: We obtained promising results about the knowledge and practice levels of the staff of men's beauty shop in Isfahan about AIDS, hepatitis B, and C. However, but because of the important role of barbers in virus transmission, we should provide the best program for control, evaluation, continuous teaching programs.