Citizens lament barber’s unhygienic working practices, urge authorities to create awareness among barbers regarding health hazards related to their profession
Citizens have complained that majority of barbers working in the federal capital do not have any perception of unhealthy working practices in barbering and threat of hazardous infection to the customers.
According to them, they are also not aware of risk of getting infection from their customers besides poor knowledge about health hazards associated with their profession.
They urged to create awareness among barbers regarding health hazards related to their profession and to identify practices linked with infection acquisition on barbershops.
They said that the use of unsterilised equipment by roadside barbers in the twin cities is the main cause of spreading communicable diseases, including Hepatitis B and C.
They said that barbers have set up makeshift shops along roadsides in various localities, adding, most of the people avail their services due to lower rates. They said considering the grave consequences of infections especially Hepatitis B, C and AIDS, associated with this profession, awareness about these health hazards among barbers would play a vital part in prevention and control of these infections.
Dr Wasim Khawaja from Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) said that a behaviour change communication campaign should be initiated without delay to protect the health of barbers and of the general population. He said that Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections are among the most devastating health problems however due to lack of knowledge many citizens are carrying infection from barbers, which is unfortunate, he added.
Dr Khawaja said that it is high time to understand the dynamics of disease transmission in relation to barbering profession. He said that sincere efforts are required at all levels for sensitizing both customers and service providers at barbershops to reduce the likelihood of acquiring diseases.
