Abstract
This study aimed to assess the prevalence of blood brotherhood (BB) in Erzurum, Turkey and to observe the effect of education interventions on this risky cultural behavior. This study was designed as a cross-sectional intervention, based on minor interventions through a peer-led awareness campaign regarding the transfer of blood-borne diseases through BB rites. This study was conducted from February through May 2007 at 29 high schools in Erzurum. The study population was 53.8% (n=1,522) males and 46.2% (n=1,307) females. The proportion of the students who have participated in BB rituals was 24.1% (n=558). There was a statistically significant link between BB and a history of having Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infection, family history of HBV and male gender (p<0.05). After the structured peer-led education the intention to participate in BB rituals decreased from 30.0% to 20.6% (p<0.001). The prevention of BB rituals, which can result in the transfer of blood-borne diseases, requires urgent public awareness campaigns led by healthcare professionals.
Highlights
It is an established fact that prevention is better than the cure when discussing the prevention of communicable diseases, and it is important to know all transmission routes for bacteria, parasites and viruses [1, 2]
hepatitis B virus (HBV) is more efficiently transmitted than hepatitis C virus (HCV) or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), especially if the source is positive for the hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg), a marker for increased infectivity [3]
When HBeAg is present, HBV is 100 times more likely than HIV to be transmitted after percutaneous exposure to infected blood
Summary
It is an established fact that prevention is better than the cure when discussing the prevention of communicable diseases, and it is important to know all transmission routes for bacteria, parasites and viruses [1, 2]. There is a growing concern regarding dangerous blood-borne diseases including hepatitis B virus (HBV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV). All three of these viruses are blood-borne and share common routes of transmission, the epidemiology of each virus differs based on the virus and the circumstances of exposure. HBV is more efficiently transmitted than HCV or HIV, especially if the source is positive for the hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg), a marker for increased infectivity [3]. When HBeAg is present, HBV is 100 times more likely than HIV to be transmitted after percutaneous exposure to infected blood. HCV, which is less infectious than HBV, is on average six times more likely than HIV to be transmitted after percutaneous exposure [4]. Studies have shown that carriage of HBsAg and seropositivity of HBV were
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