Manicures/pedicures: conhecimento e práticas de biossegurança para hepatites virais

Abstract

Objective: To identify the biosecurity knowledge and practices of manicure/pedicure technicians for viral hepatitis. Methods: Descriptive, cross-sectional, quantitative study with a questionnaire used as a self-applied data collection tool, which was designed by the researchers, containing data on the population (gender, age, length of professional activity) and basic knowledge about hepatitis transmission, biosecurity and hygiene practices. Results: 96 manicure/pedicure technicians working in northwestern Paraná were interviewed. Most professionals have heard of the condition, but only 41.7% (n=40) were screened for detection of the hepatitis virus; as transmission via, 38.39% (n=77) reported the blood and 31.8% (n=63) the sexual intercourse. The reuse of disposable materials was reported by 60.4% (n=58); 55.2% (n=53) conducted sterilization of materials and 27.1% (n=26) did not. No significant association was evident between length of professional activity and the variables: heard about hepatitis (p=0.77025); undergoing screening tests (p=0.035476); reuse of disposables (p=0.42691); hand washing (p=0.32876); use of disposable gloves (p=0.33752); sterilization of materials (p=0.84443). Conclusion: The interviewed manicure technicians are not aware of the requirements of the Health Surveillance Agency regarding the prevention of hepatitis transmission.