AIDS Educ Prev. 1989 Spring; 1(1): 31-8.

Personal service workers: a critical link in the AIDS education chain?

Backinger C.

Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Food & Drug Administration, Rockville, MD 20857.

Based on the hepatitis B experience in these PSW occupations, it is possible to transmit HIV through instruments, materials, and equipment used by PSWs. However, PSWs include a group of people that may be overlooked when planning and conducting AIDS education programs because they do not fit into a well defined and apparent risk category as other health care workers. Educators should be cognizant of the need to address this issue in terms of prevention of HIV transmission and proper infection control procedures for PSWs. Educational programs need to be tailored to specific PSW occupations because of their occupational differences. Concern for the potential transmission of HIV through acupuncture, electrology, tattooing, and cosmetology is evident at local, state, and national levels. Anecdotal stories have reported clients purchasing their own electrolysis and acupuncture needles and combs and scissors. Barber shops have declined to shave clients because of their concern over HIV transmission. PSWs need to be concerned with reducing the potential to transmit all infectious diseases, including hepatitis B and HIV. In the current climate of "AIDS phobia," PSWs need to be able to assure their clients that they can provide valued personal services in a safe manner.