Awareness Among Barbers About Health Hazards Associated With Their Profession In Bagalkot, Karnataka

Introduction: Barbering is a very ancient profession, which is associated with the use of combs, towels, knives and blades etc. If these are not appropriately disinfected leads to transmission of a range of infections which includes fungal infection ,scabies, staphylococcal infection, Hepatitis B and C ,HIV and etc. Material and Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted in Bagalkot city involving all barbers with help of predesigned questionnaire by interview method. Informal inspection of workplace was done after informed consent was taken. Results: Most of the study subjects (60%) where in the age group of 18-27yrs.73.3% of the subjects were unaware about the diseases transmission by their profession. 71.10% of study subjects where aware that using same instruments will transmit disease among the customers Greater part (93.30%) of study subjects where using antiseptic lotion. All of the study subjects had disinfected their instruments. Majority (64.40%) of the study subjects had disposed their used sharps and cut hairs outside the town Almost all the study subjects used new blades for each customer. Conclusion:Majority of study subjects do not have any perception of unhealthy working practices in barbering and threat of hazardous infection to the customers. They are also not aware of the risk of getting infection from their customers. A behavioural change communication campaign should be initiated without delay to protect the health of these workers and of the general population.