Abstract
INTRODUCTION: HIV/AIDS is a global public health issue affecting 40.4 million lives. Barbershops and beauty salons pose health risks due to the use of sharp tools, which can transmit blood-borne diseases like HIV. Somalia Over 45% of HIV-positive. Training and capacity building can enhance service quality and prevent disease transmission. This study assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and prevention practices of HIV/AIDS transmission and prevention among barbing and beauty salon operators in Somalia. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 400 barbers and beauty salon operators in Districts Mogadishu selected using multistage sampling techniques from September 2023 to June 2024. A structured questionnaire was used to assess their knowledge, attitude and practice about HIV/AIDs transmission and prevention. The factors associated with the knowledge, attitude and practice of the barbers and beauty salon operators about HIV/AIDs were explored using multiple logistic regression. Data was analyzed using Stata Version 15. RESULTS: The mean age of the participants was 27±6.6 years. Regarding sex, the vast majority of the participants (65.3%) were males Only 23.0% (92/400) had good knowledge, and 19.0% (76/400) had a good attitude, in addition, 6.5% (26/400) had good practice towards HIV transmission and prevention. Participants with secondary education showed higher odds of having a good attitude than those with primary and non-formal education though the difference was not significant (AOR = 2.3 (0.87-5.95), p = 0.094 CONCLUSION: Barbers' awareness and education about HIV/AIDS and age-related factors contributing to infection spread are poor, and local health authorities could significantly reduce the spread of these pathogens through occupational hazards training.