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

Author

Listed:
  • 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
    Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Johannesburg, P.O. Box 524, Auckland Park 2006, Johannesburg, South Africa
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Andre Swart

    (Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Johannesburg, P.O. Box 524, Auckland Park 2006, Johannesburg, South Africa
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Tanya Haman & Angela Mathee & Andre Swart, 2015. "Low Levels of Awareness of Lead Hazards among Pregnant Women in a High Risk—Johannesburg Neighbourhood," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(12), pages 1-6, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:12:y:2015:i:12:p:14968-15027:d:59539
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Angela Mathee & Nisha Naicker & June Teare, 2015. "Retrospective Investigation of a Lead Poisoning Outbreak from the Consumption of an Ayurvedic Medicine: Durban, South Africa," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(7), pages 1-10, July.
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    Cited by:

    1. Adejoke Christianah Olufemi & Andile Mji & Murembiwa Stanley Mukhola, 2022. "Potential Health Risks of Lead Exposure from Early Life through Later Life: Implications for Public Health Education," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(23), pages 1-21, November.
    2. Howard W. Mielke, 2016. "Editorial: Lead Risk Assessment and Health Effects," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(6), pages 1-3, June.

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