Evaluation of occupational risk factors at manicurists and pedicurists for hepatitis b and c virus infection

Professional manicurists/pedicurists constitute a group at risk of the transmission of infectious diseases. This study analyzed the occupational risks to which they are exposed, the biosafety practices that they undertake, and the serological markers for hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus infections. A validated questionnaire was administered to 163 of these professionals and 142 serum samples were obtained from two cities of Goiás state, Brazil. Overall, 47.2% of the participants stated that they had undergone professional training, but 73% had not taken a biosafety preparatory course (PR = 1,25; IC95%: 0,56‐2,81; p = 0,578). Adherence to the use of personal protective equipment was low, with 80% of those interviewed not wearing gloves during care. The methods of choice for material sterilization were not the most adequate and only 1.9% reported using an autoclave (PR=1,93; IC95%: 0,46‐8,14; p=0,367). Isolated HBsAg serological marker was identified in 5.6% of the samples and anti-HBc/anti-HBs were identified in 4.9%, but none of these samples were positive in RT-PCR. Of the professionals interviewed, 56.4% had already experienced accidents at work (PR =1,54; IC95%: 0,73‐3,23; p =0,248), but the anti-HBs marker was identified in 33.1%, showing low vaccine protection. This work reveals the lack of compliance with biosafety standards by professionals and the danger of cross-infection at the workplaces of manicurists and pedicurists.