Effect of health education project of a three-year special action for prevention and control of drinking water-borne endemic fluorosis in Shandong Province / 中华地方病学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To evaluate the effect of health education of a three-year special action for prevention and control of drinking water-borne endemic fluorosis (referred to as drinking water-borne fluorosis) in Shandong Province, and to provide basis for formulating health education measures in the next step.Methods:Nineteen of the disease affected counties (cities and districts) were selected as project counties (cities and districts) in key areas for prevention and control of drinking water-borne fluorosis in Shandong Province in 2018, and 50 disease affected counties (cities and districts) were selected in 2019, and the project counties (cities and districts) were expanded to all of the 105 disease affected counties (cities and districts) in Shandong Province in 2020. Three disease affected townships (towns) were selected in each county (city and district), and health education activities on drinking water-borne fluorosis were carried out in Grade 4 to Grade 6 of the central primary schools and the three villages under its jurisdiction. Students and housewives were selected to conduct questionnaire surveys on prevention and control knowledge of drinking water-borne fluorosis before and after health education. The incidence of dental fluorosis among children aged 8 - 12 years was investigated annually in 6 villages (with children aged 8 - 12 years > 50) , where health education activity was implemented and the incidence of dental fluorosis among children was > 30%, water fluoride content was > 1.5 mg/L and water improvement time was < 5 years.Results:After health education, the awareness rates of drinking water-borne fluorosis in fifth grade pupils [92.46% (4 571/4 944) vs 65.80% (3 334/5 067) in 2018; 94.84% (12 897/13 599) vs 73.55% (9 993/13 587) in 2019; 95.59% (30 407/ 31 809) vs 77.52% (24 463/31 557) in 2020] and housewives [94.12% (2 400/2 550) vs 76.04% (1 939/2 550) in 2018; 94.99% (6 412/6 750) vs 72.00% (4 860/6 750) in 2019; 95.53% (16 183/16 941) vs 78.43% (12 971/16 539) in 2020] were significantly improved (χ 2 = 1 070.47, 2 315.27, 4 456.40, 328.25, 1 294.80, 2 174.63, P < 0.05). After health education in 2020, there were significant differences in the correct answer rates of epidemic causes, hazards and preventive measures of drinking water-borne fluorosis in the questionnaire of fifth grade pupils and housewives (χ 2 = 390.78, 164.94, P < 0.05). The awareness rates of drinking water-borne fluorosis in fifth grade pupils and housewives in the eastern region (Qingdao City, Yantai City and Weifang City) were significantly higher than those in the western region (Dezhou City, Liaocheng City and Heze City) before health education (χ 2 = 547.43, 210.12, P < 0.05), and after health education, the awareness rates increased to more than 90%. The detection rate of dental fluorosis in children decreased year by year (χ 2trend = 27.95, P < 0.05). Conclusions:Through implementation of a three-year special action for prevention and control of drinking water-borne fluorosis in Shandong Province, the awareness rate of fluorosis among target populations has been significantly improved. However, it is still necessary for government departments to further increase investment in health education and carry out health education activities in a deep-going way.