Amr Alemairy^1,, Hayder Abu Ahmed², Zeinab Swareldahab², Fadwa Saad², Ahmed Alaimeri³, Abeer Alemairy⁴, Mohamed Elhassan¹

Background: Human immunodeficiency virus HIV, Hepatitis B virus HBV and Hepatitis C HCV are blood borne viruses that infect millions of people worldwide. Barbers and women hairdressers (coiffeurs) may accidently cut their customer exposing themselves and their customers to be infected with the viruses. Objectives: To assess the knowledge and practice of barbers and (coiffeurs) regarding HIV, HBV and HCV infections in Khartoum state. Method: A cross sectional community based involving 384 barbers and coiffeurs study using proportionate stratified purposive sampling technique was conducted in Khartoum state, Sudan. A questionnaire through interview was used to collect data. Results: About half of the participants did not possess the basic knowledge about HBV and only (19%) had it in case of HCV, whereas most of them (83%) possess the basic knowledge about HIV. Only (10%) regularly sterilize/disinfect the instruments between customers and (4.2%) reuse razors on other customer. Significantly, men are better in knowledge but women are better in practice, also Ethiopians were the worst in knowledge and practice. Conclusion: knowledge of barbers and coiffeurs was generally poor and their practice may lead to spread of the blood borne disease. Authorities, media and customers should pay more attention to the problem.

barbers, coiffeurs, human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis B virus, hepatitis c virus, Khartoum