RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To identify exposure factors contributing to lead poisoning in school children from Mexico City. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cross-sectional study of 340 children. A convenience sample of schools and a random sample of children were selected. A questionnaire was filled out and venous blood samples were taken. Lead levels were measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Statistical analysis consisted of comparison of means using Student's t test and ANOVA. Multiple linear regression was used for multivariate analysis. Logarithmic transformation of lead blood levels were used to account for their non-normal distribution. RESULTS: Geometric means for private and public schools were: GM = 8.76 micrograms/dl, 95% CI = 9.1-10.5; GM = 11.5 micrograms/dl, 95% CI = 9.4-13.5. Lead levels were higher among children from public schools who are male, between 6 and 8 years of age, in first and second grade, whose mothers have a profession, who use glazed earthenware utensils, and who live near glazed earthenware shops or factories. CONCLUSIONS: Exposure predictors of lead blood levels are: being between 6 and 8 years of age, having a professional mother, using glazed earthenware utensils, living near glazed earthenware shops or factories, and studying the second grade of elementary school.
Assuntos
Exposição Ambiental , Chumbo/sangue , Criança , Estudos Transversais , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , México , Análise de Regressão , Instituições Acadêmicas , Inquéritos e QuestionáriosRESUMO
Epidemiological and health system research projects are often delayed due to the difficulties to build validated data basis in personal computers. This papers presents a new computer interactive program for handling numeric data from a given questionnaire to a structured archive. The questionnaire includes the basic variables of the dwelling and of the members of the household. A list of sociodemographic and health variables are selected, although other variables can be easily added, according to special needs. All the intermediate steps regularly needed to construct a data base are included in the package: capture, verification, validation and record linkage. The package is equipped with the basic procedures needed to produce tabulations and basic statistical analysis.