ABSTRACT
Exposure of school children to lead from various sources, including the school environment, is perilous to their health. In this study, teachers' knowledge of Lead Poisoning (LP) was assessed and the effects of training on their knowledge, perceptions and self-efficacy for preventing childhood LP in Ido Local Government Area (LGA), Oyo state was determined. The quasi- experimental study involved an Experimental Group (EG) of 27 teachers nominated by 15 purposively selected schools in Ido LGA and a Control Group (CG) of 30 teachers from 15 schools in Egbeda LGA. The two groups completed a pre -test using a validated questionnaire and the results were used to design a 4-day Training Intervention for the EG. A post-test was conducted among the two groups using the same questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive, Chi-square, ANOVA and t-test statistics. The EG and CG Mean Knowledge (MK) scores at pre-test using a 74-point knowledge scale were 20.2±16.3 and 14.6±14.4 respectively. Mean scores at post-test for the EG and CG were 71.8±3.1 and 19.2±17.8 respectively (p<0.05). A significant difference was found between the EG's pre-test (20.2±16.3) and post-test (71.8±3.1) scores (p<0.05). The control's mean pre-test and post-test knowledge scores of 14.6±14.4 and 19.2±17.8 respectively were not significantly different. Perception of the EG that LP is more serious in children than adults changed from 5% at pre-test to 100% at post-test (p<0.05), while for the control perceptions were 13.3% and 23.3% for pre-test and post-test respectively with no significant difference. The EG participant's self-efficacy relating to level of confidence in advocating for school-based LP control rose significantly from 29% at pre-test to 100% at post-test (p<0.05); values among the control at pre-test and post-test were 26.7% and 23.3% respectively (p>0.05). Training intervention was effective in improving teachers' knowledge and influenced their perception and self-efficacy relating to the control of LP. Teachers can be used to upgrade their peers' knowledge
Subject(s)
Child , Knowledge , Lead Poisoning , Local Government , Nigeria , PerceptionABSTRACT
Lead is a well-established toxin that continues to pose a health risk. Blood lead levels (BLLs) and urinary chelatable lead are the tests of choice for assessing acute and chronic toxicity. We highlight some of the other tests available. As occupational exposure to lead is often accompanied by other toxic heavy metal exposure; measuring whole blood heavy metal levels should be considered for workers with chronically elevated BLLs
Subject(s)
Human Body , Lead Poisoning , Lead/adverse effects , Lead/analysis , Lead/toxicity , Occupational Health , ReviewABSTRACT
Human exposure to lead in non industrial urban areas is commonly ascribed to vehicular combustion of leaded gasoline. This belief is based on results of studies in societies with high vehicular density which show emission of lead fumes into the air by automobiles that use gasoline with high lead content. To assess this view; blood lead levels were evaluated in 11 to 15-year old school children in urban and rural communities of the Greater Accra Region; Ghana. Blood lead levels was significantly higher in all the urban children studied (mean +/-SD: 8.3+/- 12.7g/dl) than in their rural counterparts (4.0+/-7.2g/dl) (P0.002). The trend was the same when only those who tested positive for blood lead were considered (24.1+/- 9.2g/dl; urban compared with 14.6+/- 5.8g/dl; rural). The prevalence of lead exposure was; however; not significantly different between the two groups (34.3. percent; urban and 27.1 per cent; rural). The presence of anaemia and/or increased urine total protein levels was unrelated to the blood lead levels in the children form both communities. Although a set goal to achieve lead free gasoline is desirable; the closeness of the prevalence rate of lead exposure obtained in the study indicate that factors other than leaded gasoline may be important determinant in exposure to lead in the Ghanaian community