Awareness of Effects of Lead Among Kabwe Residents in Zambia

Enock Mutepuka

Abstract


Lead poisoning is also called plumbism and occurs when blood lead levels is equal to or more than 10 micro-grams per deciliter. The world health organisation reports that about 120 million people get exposed to lead and about 99% of the serious cases come from developing countries of which Zambia is not exceptional. The population of developing countries like Zambia is very susceptible to lead poisoning owing to the issues of environmental contamination in some places like kabwe District.

The aim of the study was to assess levels of awareness about the Toxic effects at lead. A descriptive study design was used to carry out the study. Participants were sampled by stratified random sampling technique. Data Collection consisted of a structured questionnaire. The collected data were analyzed and interpreted in terms of objectives using descriptive statistics in SPSS and Excel.

The study reveals that the levels of awareness were inadequate despite staying in an area where lead poisoning exposer is high. This could be the reason for continuous   increase in diagnosis of children with lead poisoning. It could also be the reason for continuous building of houses near areas designated as hot spots for leading poisoning.

This study recommends that stake holders such as Ministry of health, local Authority, Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) and the community should be collaborating day to day to find ways and means of increasing levels of awareness of the people concerning lead poisoning by using Posters, Radio programs, Television, Door to Door education, Leaflets, Health education for those going to clinics and other strategies possible. Medical doctors, Nursing, clinical officers, Environmental Health and any health and Environmental related programs should put emphasis on making sure that these impart health information and assist the people in the community to be aware of the Toxic effects of lead by means of information dissemination

 


Keywords


Lead poisoning;Health Effects;Knowledge;Awareness

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DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.52155/ijpsat.v29.1.3610

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