Low Levels of Awareness of Lead Hazards among Pregnant Women in a High Risk—Johannesburg Neighbourhood

Tanya Haman, Angela Mathee and Andre Swart
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Tanya Haman: Environment & Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, P.O. Box 87373, Houghton 2041, Johannesburg, South Africa
Angela Mathee: Environment & Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, P.O. Box 87373, Houghton 2041, Johannesburg, South Africa
Andre Swart: Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Johannesburg, P.O. Box 524, Auckland Park 2006, Johannesburg, South Africa

IJERPH, 2015, vol. 12, issue 12, 1-6

Abstract: Background: The widespread use of lead and elevated risk of lead exposure in South African children justifies a need for high levels of awareness of the sources, exposure pathways, and measures to reduce this risk in children. This study aimed to determine the levels of knowledge of lead hazards among pregnant women in an area where children had already been established to be at a high risk of lead exposure and poisoning. Methods: Following informed consent, a structured questionnaire was administered to 119 pregnant women attending antenatal clinic services at Rahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital, west of central Johannesburg. Questions were asked about social, demographic and residential characteristics, as well as knowledge, perceptions, behaviours and practices in relation to child lead hazards. Conclusion: Overall awareness of the dangers of lead in pregnancy was low (11%). Amongst those who had heard of it, only 15% thought that lead could cause detrimental health effects. A consequence of this low level of awareness of lead hazards is a high potential for the participants and their children to unwittingly be exposed to environmental lead from various sources, thereby undermining preventative approaches.

Keywords: pregnant women; lead exposure; children; low awareness (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2015
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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