Abstract

The estimated rate for Hepatitis B is 6.9 per hundred thousand in Turkey. The prevention of transmission is a crucial strategy particularly for adults since there is no comprehensive immunization program targeting them. A cross-sectional survey was carried out in order to determine the knowledge, attitude and practices of manicure-pedicurists in the Maltepe district of Istanbul. Face to face interviews were conducted with 55 manicure-pedicurists and infection prevention measures were evaluated in their work places. 98% of the participants stated that they used sterilization as an infection prevention measure. However it was observed that the equipments used for sterilization were not reliable and effective. Moreover they were applying different methods for decontamination before the sterilization process. Only two of the participants were using sodium hypochloride, but they were not using it appropriately. We can conclude that there are risks for Hepatitis B transmission through the practices of manicure and pedicurists. Supervision as well as training aimed to improve the skills for infection prevention is needed targeting manicure-pedicurists.

Key words: Hepatitis B, manicure, pedicure, coiffures

Article Language: Turkish English