Current status of knowledge, attitudes, and practices of barbers regarding transmission and prevention of hepatitis B and C virus in the north-west part of Bangladesh: A cross-sectional study in 2020

The objective of this study was to assess knowledge, attitudes, and preventative practices among barbers regarding Hepatitis B (HBV) and Hepatitis C (HCV) viral infection in Rajshahi city of Bangladesh. This was a prospective observational study. This study was conducted from January to June 2020. A questionnaire was adapted from existing knowledge attitude and practice surveys regarding HBV and HCV infection. Data were collected from barbers by face to face interview by trained interviewers. A knowledge score was calculated by giving one point for each correct response to the knowledge-related items, with a maximum score of 17. Associations between knowledge and patient characteristics were assessed by Welch’s t-test. A total of 403 barbers were enrolled with a mean age of 29.2 ​± ​7.4 years. Of participants, the majority of barbers were either illiterate or had education up to primary school (232, 57.5%). 41.2%, 33.7%, and 25.1% barbers knew that HBV and HCV could be transmitted through sexual route, blood transfusion, and shaving instruments respectively. A lower knowledge level was associated with a lower level of education (P ​