BHUBANESWAR: Primitive tribal groups (PTGs) of Odisha, like
Mankadia, Juanga, Khadia, Lodha and Saora are carrying an alarmingly
high Hepatitis B (HBV) load, to the tune of over 15 per cent.
The
prevalence, surpassing the National rate — between two and seven per
cent — should be a cause for concern as the tribes are witnessing low
population growth. It warrants urgent redirection of public health
interventions including raising awareness to stop practices contributing
to the spread of the virus, an Indian Council of Medical Research
report said.
The first comprehensive report on prevalence of HBV
among PTGs in Odisha has stated that the Mankada tribe is particularly
afflicted with a carrier population of more than 28.1 per cent while
Juanga has over 18 per cent. The spread of infection among the Khadia,
Lodha and Saora tribes ranges around 12.2, 7.4 and 2.3 per cent
respectively. It reported major risk factors as sharing of razor blades,
tattooing and body piercing. Shaving by the village barber, who uses
the same razor blade on multiple people, is a significant transmission
route. In fact, shaving by the village barber was reported a whopping 65
per cent of males.
Read more...Labels: barbers, India, razors, transmission-prevention