Prevalence of Hepatitis B Virus and Hepatitis C Virus Infections among Beauticians in Quy Nhon City, Binh Dinh Province, Vietnam

Objective: To determine the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections among beauticians and to identify occupational risk factors associated with the infections. Methods: The cross-sectional study of 247 randomly enrolled beauticians was conducted in Quy Nhon City, Viet Nam. Knowledge, perceptions, and practices towards occupational risk of HBV and HCV infections were evaluated using an anonymous questionnaire. Blood samples were tested for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and antibodies against HBV and HCV by chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay. Viral genotyping by real time quantitative PCR was performed for those testing positives for HBsAg and anti-HCV antibodies. Results: The prevalence of HBV and HCV infections was 7.3% (18/247, 95% CI: 4.4-11.3) and 0%, respectively. Among HBsAg(+) subjects, 72.2% (13/18) were identified as being infected with HBV genotype B. Overall, 198/247 (80.2%) perceived that they are at risk of being infected by hepatitis through work. Nearly half of participants (43.3%) were not immune to HBV. Discussions: The prevalence of HBV and HCV infections among beauticians was comparable to the general population previously of Vietnam; no occupational risk factors associated with infections were found. This finding proposed that beauticians might not be a high-risk group for HBV and HCV infections. However, the study revealed a high proportion of persons susceptible to HBV infections suggesting that public health preventive strategies and vaccination targeting these professionals should be implemented.