Hepatitis B virus infection, knowledge and vaccine uptake among hairdressers in Ikorodu, Lagos State

Background Hepatitis B is a major public health concern. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) continues to thrive in developing countries including Nigeria. Occupationally exposed persons like people working in women's beauty salon are at high risk of HBV infection and may play a critical role in the disease transmission via contaminated needles and sharps. The aim of this study therefore was to estimate HBV infection, knowledge level, occupational risk perception and vaccine uptake among people working in women's beauty salons. Also to get them screened and encourage those that are negative to get vaccinated to curb the spread of this infection. Methods This was a cross-sectional study carried out on 199 people working in women's beauty salons in Ikorodu Local government area of Lagos State. HBsAg screening using a rapid diagnostic test kit was carried out for all respondents to determine their infection status. Questionnaire which assessed their knowledge level and occupational risk perception were completed by trained interviewers and data was analysed using SPSS software. Results The result of this study showed that only 2.01% respondents tested positive for the HBsAg screening. Majority of the respondents (69.3%) have poor knowledge about HBV transmission, prevention and vaccine. While most (78.9%) of the respondents don't know their occupational risk of exposure to HBV, 9.0% rated themselves at high risk of occupational exposure. Significant association was observed between level of knowledge and risk perception (P < 0.001). The level of vaccine uptake was very poor as only 1 out of 199 respondents has taken 3 doses of HBV vaccine, 60.9%(120) have not been vaccinated. Conclusions The respondents exhibited poor level of knowledge about HBV transmission, prevention, vaccination and went about their occupation without adequate protection form HBV. Key messages Screening of people working in women beauty salon is highly imperative to identify those with infection so that they can be treated on time while those that are negative should be vaccinated. Due to the potential roles of people working in women’s beauty salon in HBV transmission, education programs and vaccine coverage policy should be adopted for people in this occupation.

Prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in asymptomatic pregnant women and in the cord blood of their newborns

Background: In a developing country like India there is very high incidence and prevalence of hepatitis B. The disease is easy to prevent than to treat. Pregnant females are exposed more to risk factors than the general population which makes them a more apt candidate for HBsAg screening. This shall help both the mother (in terms of treatment) and newborn (in terms of prophylaxis and if not successful then, treatment).Methods: This study was conducted on 111 patients who were divided into two groups of asymptomatic cases and symptomatic cases i.e. those patients who were jaundiced. ELISA was used for detection of HBsAg in the maternal and the cord blood of their newborn.Results: Maximun incidence of sero-positivity was seen in age group between 20-25yrs and second pregnancy was associated with maximum HBsAg positivity. Asymptomatic cases showed only 10.41% sero-positivity whereas it was 60% in clinically jaundiced cases (p<0.05). Also rate of vertical transmission was 66.6% in the diseased group. Obstetric complications like premature labour, early rupture of membrane were also observed in the study.Conclusions: This study helped us to know the prevalence and the various other association of HBsAg positivity both in clinically asymptomatic cases and symptomatic cases. Thus we conclude that HBsAg screening should be mandatory for all pregnant females and in areas where resources a scarce at least high risk cases should be screened. This shall help to break the chain of mother to child transmission (MTCT) of this dreaded disease.