Analysis of health education effects on integrated program for controlling endemic fluorosis in Guizhou Province / 中国地方病学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To evaluate the effects of implementing the health education in the Central Fund Program to control endemic fluorosis in Guizhou.Methods The samples were randomly surveyed to evaluate knowledge awareness in students and households as well as the habit formation after implementing the integrated program which mainly consisted of installing the improved stoves,supported by the Central Funds and health education in 5 counties.Results After health education,the rates of knowledge awareness in the students and the households were 94.80%(15 562/16 415)and 88.23%(4482/5080),respectively,and increased significantly compared with those before intervention[44.20%(26 364/59 645),22.81%(3082/13 510)],the difference being significant(χ2=13 324.05,6546.24,P＜0.01).The rates of drying corn and chili with the coal fire were 5.61% (57/1016)and 5.41%(55/1016),respectively,and decreased significantly compared with those before intervention [77.41%(1076/1390),78.92%(1097/1390)],the difference being significant(χ2=1214.49,1270.92,P＜0.01).The rates of washing corn and chili were 99.51%(1011/1016)and 94.59%(961/1016),respectively,and increased significantly compared with those before intervention[84.60%(1176/1390),76.55%(1064/1390)],the difference being significant(χ2=154.80,143.32,P＜0.01).The rates of using the uncovered and unventilated iron stoves and table stoves were 4.71%(38/807)and 8.37%(60/717),respectively,and decreased significantly compared with those before intervention[29.99%(14 483/48 299),98.33%(95 070/96 685)],the difierence being significant(χ2=243.51,25 282.99,P＜0.01).Conclusions Implementing the health education is the basis for the integrated measures for controlling the endemic fluorosis in the endemic regions.The consciousness and activity of the target people have been enhanced greatly.The good behaviors in the target people are forming,the expected goal is reached.