By Paul Nyathi|Zimbabwe’s National Aids Council has given a chilling warning against the use of shared hair clips at barbershops as these are contributing to the HIV/AIDS scourge.
The Zim body is relying on a study conducted in South Africa.
According to findings of a study published by the South African Medical Journal recently, the barbershop clients also risk contracting the potentially fatal Hepatitis B and C.
ARE THEY TELLING THE TRUTH? – Zim AIDS Council Says Barber Shops Spreading HIV (see story in link https://t.co/dNaWB6nAcZ )
— ZimEye (@ZimEye) April 12, 2018
Nac monitoring and evaluation director Mr Amon Mpofu acknowledged that there is significant contamination of barber hair clippers with blood and blood-borne viruses.
“HIV is transmitted through fresh blood hence if anyone sustains any cut during the use of the clippers and there is blood, it can remain on the piece of equipment. If another person uses the same clipper and there is also breakage of the skin, he or she can get infected,” said Mr Mpofu.
“We encourage barbers to invest in sterilisers and numerous clippers so that they don’t use the same for all clients. They should use a single clipper on one person and sterilise it before it can be used on the next person.”
He encouraged members of the public to rather carry their own clippers to the salon rather than risk getting infections.
“It is almost like using one razor blade. Though HIV does not exist in dead blood, they cannot take that risk. When blood cells die the HIV virus dies but we encourage members of the public to be cautious and ensure they only use sterilised clippers or carry their own,” added Mr Mpofu.
“This study confirms that there is significant contamination of barber hair clippers with blood and blood-borne viruses. Hepatitis B was detected with enough DNA copies to pose a risk of transmitting infection,” reads the study.
“Further studies to investigate barber clipper sterilisation practices and whether the clean-shave hairstyle is an independent risk factor for HIV, HBV and hepatitis C virus infections are warranted.”