World Journal of
Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences

KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PREVENTIVE PRACTICES OF HAIRDRESSERS AND BEAUTICIANS ON THE TRANSMISSION OF HIV/AIDs IN KINTAMPO MUNICIPALITY

Okrah George Hassan, *Mahama Bashiru, Abdul-Rahaman Nurideen Andani and Sulemana Sarah Zaratu

ABSTRACT

Most occupation is associated with risk that may affect the life and wellbeing of the workers and even their client’s involved. The prevention of transmissible diseases during working hours constitutes a public health burden in most of beautician’s workshops. The study therefore determined the knowledge, attitude and preventive practices of hairdressers and beauticians on transmission of HIV/AIDS in Kintampo Municipality. A quantitative cross-sectional study design was used for the study. Data was collected using structured questionnaires and results were presented in tables. Findings from the study revealed that; most participants (91.2%) were below the ages of 30 whiles about 8.8% of participants were within the age group of 31-50. The study showed most respondents are aware of HIV virus (94.4%), even though, 91.53% of the respondents did not know how the virus is transmitted. Also, 96.61% of the respondents know the causes of HIV/AIDS and admitted that HIV is caused by virus. Findings further showed that, 82.2% respondents had knowledge on sterilization processes with only 63.2% sterilizing using UV light between one customer and another. Also only a small percentage do sterilize once daily using other means. The findings revealed, 36.0% of the respondents’ finds the use of gloves as inconvenient, 29.6% as not inconvenient, 34.4% of the respondents do not know anything about using hand gloves. In terms of using same razor /clippers on customers, majority (82.4%) believe that it is a bad practice and can aid in the spread of the diseases. Participants have a good knowledge regarding HIV/AIDS. Health strategies such as support supervision and training are needed to facilitate effective preventive measures against HIV disease among beauty salon and barbers workers.

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