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. 2023 Oct 29;13(10):e074495.
doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-074495.

Barbers' compliance with biological hazard preventive measures and predictors in selected towns, Southeast Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study

Demisu Zenbaba  1 , Biniyam Sahiledengle #  2 , Ahmed Yassin #  2 , Girma Beressa #  2 , Fikreab Desta #  2 , Zinash Teferu Engida  2 , Fikadu Nugusu #  2 , Tilahun Tufa  2 , Yohannes Tekalegn  2 , Diriba Dibaba #  2 , Alelign Tasew #  2 , Debebe Wordofa #  2 , Tesfaye Assefa #  3 , Zegeye Feleke #  3 , Daniel Atlaw #  4 , Telila Mesfin  5 , Eshetu Nigussie Geleta #  6
Affiliations

Barbers' compliance with biological hazard preventive measures and predictors in selected towns, Southeast Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study

Demisu Zenbaba et al. BMJ Open. .

Abstract

Objective: The barber's profession exposes their customers to several health risks. Negligence when using sharp instruments in barbershops can increase the risk of bloodborne infections, resulting in serious health problems for both the barber and the customer. Evidence for compliance with biological hazard preventive measures and predictors among barbers is critical and urgent. Thus, we aimed to assess compliance with biological hazard preventive measures and predictors among barbers in selected towns in Southeast Ethiopia.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 633 randomly selected barbers from 1 March to 30 March 2022. A multistage sampling followed by a systematic sampling and simple random sampling methods were used to select barbershops and barbers, respectively. We used a pretested interviewer-administered questionnaire and an observational checklist to collect data. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was used to identify predictors. An adjusted OR (AOR), along with a 95% CI and p<0.05, was used to estimate the strength of the association.

Results: The good compliance level with biological hazard preventive measures was 47.10% (95% CI: 43.2%, 50.70%). Being married (AOR=3.04, 95% CI: 1.71, 8.56), aged from 25 to 34 years (AOR=2.75, 95% CI: 1.13, 8.06), served for ≤5 years (AOR=1.72, 95% CI: 1.24, 3.85), attending high school and above (AOR=4.32, 95% CI: 1.31, 12.73), being professional (AOR=6.34, 95% CI: 2.03, 11.36), having a positive attitude (AOR=2.95, 95% CI: 1.06, 8.22) and having good knowledge towards biological hazard preventive measures (AOR=3.14, 95% CI: 1.42, 9.25) were significant predictors of moderate and good compliance with biological hazard preventive measures.

Conclusion: The study's findings revealed that almost half of the barbers were in good compliance with biological hazard preventive measures. As a result, improving barbers' attitudes and knowledge through on-the-job training is indispensable.

Keywords: HIV & AIDS; epidemiology; infection control; infectious diseases; public health.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing interests: None declared.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Compliance with biological hazard preventive measures and the knowledge of barbers in selected barbershops, Southeast Ethiopia, 2022.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Disinfection, sterilisation and hand washing practices of barbers after each service provision in selected barbershops, Southeast Ethiopia, 2022.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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