Knowledge, attitudes and risk of HIV, HBV and HCV infections in hairdressers of Palermo city (South Italy).

BACKGROUND: The hairdressing trade may potentially expose its practitioners and their customers to blood-borne infections. METHODS: Knowledge, attitudes and behaviours towards occupational risk of HIV, HBV and HCV infections were evaluated in a cross-sectional survey, conducted during spring 2008, in 105 out of 112 randomly selected hairdressers of Palermo. Participants were queried by answering to an anonymous questionnaire. RESULTS: Most of hairdressers (93.3%) knew that HIV and hepatitis are transmitted through parenteral route and could also be transmitted by razors. The availability of gloves was inadequate, up to 30% of the participants never used them and up to 50% usually reused them. In total, 90 respondents stated to perform a sterilization process of the cutting instruments by ultraviolet light, but only 70 sterilized the articles between two customers and only 34.3% executed a daily disinfection of the hair brushes. Statistical analysis showed that younger age and post-primary school instruction were significantly associated with knowledge and procedures that could prevent transmission of blood-borne virus (P = 0.01 and P < 0.01, respectively). Moreover, only 32 hairdressers agreed to participate to a free specific course on occupational risk offered by the University of Palermo. CONCLUSION: Although the level of awareness among hairdressers about HIV, hepatitis and risk of transmission was good, there were some unsafe practices that may lead to infections due to blood-borne viruses. The present article highlights the need to improve specific health messages in media campaigns carried out to general population, diffusing more appropriate educational materials for salons and organizing obligatory refresher courses for the hairdressing sector.

[Surveillance of the sanitary conditions of a public swimming pool in the city of Palermo (Italy)]. / Sorveglianza igienico-sanitaria di una piscina di uso pubblico della città di Palermo (Italia).

In a previous study we evaluated the microbiological quality of water of seven pools in the city of Palermo through evaluation of bacterial indicators of faecal contamination and of protozoa (Giardia and Cryptosporidium). In this study we also searched for the presence of fungi in two swimming pools of a public swimming facility in the same city. Samples were collected from both pools, their filtration systems and floor surfaces of the facility. Chemical-physical and microbiological examination of water of the two pools have shown that quality of water depends on the concentration of residual free chlorine and on the number of bathers in the pool. The values of four microbiological parameters (bacterial load at 22 degrees C and 36 degrees C, presence of coagulase-negative Staphylococci and Pseudomonas spp.) increased with diminishing chlorine concentrations and with increasing number of pool users. Faecal bacteria, Giardia and Cryptosporidium were not found. On the other hand, various fungi were isolated from floor surfaces and pool water even in the presence of optimal chlorine concentrations. This study confirms the importance of regular maintenance of pool disinfection systems and suggests the need to search for other micro-organisms not included in the current legislation (Giardia, Cryptosporidium and fungi).

Hygienic-sanitary quality of ready-to-eat salad vegetables on sale in the city of Palermo (Sicily).

In recent years there has been an increase in the consumption of bagged prepared salad vegetables. The aim of this study was to evaluate the microbiological quality of such vegetables in the city of Palermo (Italy). Forty samples of different salad vegetables were examined for the presence of mesophilic germs, E. coli, Salmonella, Listeria, E. coli O157, S. aureus, Giardia, Cryptosporidium. Variables considered included the presence of carrots, the atmospheric temperature of the day of purchase and of the two previous days, the expiry date, and the production site. The presence of carrots and of an atmospheric temperature above 20 degrees C (average of the three days considered) were found to be significantly associated with a high mesophilic germ count. This study highlights the need to implement good hygiene practices in order to prevent contamination and/or bacterial growth in ready-to-eat salad vegetables. Maintaining the cold chain and using vegetables of good microbiological quality were found to be especially relevant.