Study On Blood Lead Level And Influencing Factors Of Preschool Children In Wuhan

Objective: Understanding the status of blood lead level among preschoolers and exploring risk factors affecting lead poisoning, so as to provide scientific knowledge for taking preventive measures and putting forward effective intervention means.Methods: Cluster sampling method was employed to select preschool children in 8 kindergartens, applying AAS to measure blood lead, and their parents were administered with self-made questionnaire, which containing potential influencing factors. The basic information of children such as gender, age, personal hygienic habits and general family situations was described. Chi-square test, T test, non-conditional logistic regression analysis were conducted to find out risk factors having relationship with child lead poisoning.Results: (1) Descriptive analysis:①1601 valid questionnaires were included in our analysis. There were 859 boys and 742 girls (sex ratio 1.16:1).②The average blood lead level of 1601 children was 54.42±27.79μg/L and 83 of them with blood lead level≥100μg/L, the children lead poisoning rate was 5.18%, at a level of light poisoning. Although the positive rate was 6.05%(among boys) and 4.18%(among girls)respectively, chi-square test showed no significant difference between boys and girls(P>0.05). The positive rate of 3 years old group was the highest, which reached 7.98%, the detected rate of 6 years old group was the lowest(1.18%), and with age increasing, the rate of lead poisoning dropped. Chi-square test showed the trend was significant (P<0.05).(2) Chi-square test showed that the risk factors of children lead poisoning were: child age, class, intake popcorn or preserved egg frequently, the educational level of principal care taker, per capita living floor space and the distance from kindergarten to load. (3) Non-conditional Logistic regression analysis showed: those with principal care takers of higher educational level, parents with occupational lead exposing going home without work clothes, older children were not apt to lead poisoning ,while the children of like sucking fingers or biting fingernails,frequent eating popcorn, history of house decoration,coal products as household fuel,father engaged in lead smelting or boiler works, residence nearby pollution sources were apt to lead poisoning.Conclusions: The blood lead level and lead poisoning rate of children below the national urban children standard, hygiene habits, family and living environment factors contributing to lead poisoning. So, we should strengthen health education to care takers improve their knowledge about lead poisoning prevention , cultivate children favorable health habits, strengthen management the sources of lead exposure,reduce indoor lead pollution, take lead screening among preschoolers in high risk areas and discover those children with lead poisoning at early stage, reduce the hazard of lead poisoning of children as far as possible.