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

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.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) Our data suggest that HBV infection may constitute occupational hazards for the barbers.