Awareness of Disease Transmission by Barbers in Abraka, Delta State, Nigeria.

Abstract

Barbers provide services that are hygienic in nature. They cut,shave and trim males’ hair. Males of different categories go to barbering salon to take care of their hair. Because of diverse clients that barbers attend to, the tools they use are laden with contaminants, which can pose serious health issues to the clients. It is therefore necessary that barbers be conscious of their client health, and prevent infection and transmission of infectious agents through barbing tools. This survey was conducted to investigate awareness of barbers in disease transmission while rendering services to their client. A survey of thirty barbers shop in Abraka was done by simple random sampling technique using a questionnaire, administered after due consent from the participants and 18 (60%) questionnaires were retrieved Frequency counts and precentages were used for analysis of data. Findings showed that most barbers 15 (83.3%) were aware of possibility of disease transmission through tools they use when rendering hair care, however, only 2(11.1%) disinfect their tools before and after use. Disinfecting agents mentioned used by barbers were petrol, methylated spirit, heat, kerosene, hydrogen peroxide and bleach. Time interval for disinfecting clippers was once in thirty seconds with chemical (petrol, methylated spirit, kerosene, hydrogen oeroxide, bleach), while others were five minutes with chemical only and one minute for chemical and heat. Barbers are aware of disease transmission during service rendering.