Knowledge assessment of care – takers of children from 2 to 6 years old living in Bureghavan about lead exposure and lead poisoning

Abstract

Adverse health effects from exposure to lead are a most important environmental health problem in the world. Studies have shown that relatively low blood concentrations of lead may be associated with toxic health effects. In the United States more than 6 million preschool metropolitan children and 400,000fetuses were believed to have lead concentrations above maximum permissible. In Armenia the content of lead in the atmospheric air, soil, water of some rivers, and in the dust on internal surfaces of dwellings and public houses ,significantly exceeds the permissible levels. Studies conducted in Bureghavan, where the environment is more polluted compared to Yerevan, have shown that the blood level in children was high; moreover in 44,4% of the children, the content of lead exceeded the safe level for children. These data dictate importance to develop and implement a preventive program in Bureghavan. Taking into consideration that caretakers of children at age of interest are responsible for their health, we decided to conduct a study which is aimed to identifythe level of knowledge of caretakers about lead exposure and lead poisoning, and assess the needs for a health education program. The study consisted of keyinformant interviews and a self–administered questionnaire for caretakers. The study population was identified by systematic random sampling of Bureghavan caretakers. The study explored the relationship between age, gender, education, number of children, family member worked at the plant, social status and the level of knowledge about lead exposure and lead poisoning. The analys is of the study was done using Stata” program. Results of the analys is have shown a positive association ( OR=13, p= 0.017) between presence of family member who worked at the plant and the level of knowledge about lead. The correlation between social–economic status of caretakers and the level of knowledge of lead was another important relationship (OR=3, p=0.014).There was no association between level of knowledge and other independent variables. Study showed the necessity of an educational program parents, school teachers and health personnel at the community level.