Assessment of Mothers' Knowledge and Their Health Habits Regarding Lead Pollution at Bani-Khaled Village in Minia Governorate

Background: Lead is a highly toxic and poisonous metal, it can cause severe mental and physical impairment to young children. Young children are most vulnerable because they absorb four to five times more ingested lead compared to adults from a given source. Mothers' awareness about lead poisoning and a deeper understanding of its effect on children can prevent lead poisoning. Aim: The study aimed to assess mothers' knowledge and their health habits regarding lead pollution at Bani-Khalid Village in Minia Governorate. Study design: Descriptive research design was used to conduct in this study. Subject: Systematic random sampling of 251 mothers were included in the study this number represents 20% of the total numbers of mothers in the village which is 1253 mothers according to the last national Egyptian census in 2017. The criteria for inclusion in the study were mothers of males and females child and agreed to participate. Setting: This study was carried out at Bani-khaled Village at Samalout District affiliated to Minia Governorate, East sea. Data collection started from the first of July 2021 to end of December 2021, the investigator visited Bani-Khaled Village twice a week (on Saturdays and Tuesdays) from 10 am to 12 p.m to recruit the study sample. According to inclusion criteria, all mothers having young children and agreed to participates (6:8 mother per week) were chosen. The average number of interview subjects per day was four, and the average time spent on each was about 25-30 minutes, depending on the individual's response. Tools: Three tools were utilized in this study, the First tool was an interviewing structured questionnaire sheet was contained two parts: Part 1: Socio-demographic characteristics about the mothers. Part II: Mothers knowledge assessment questionnaire about lead pollution to assess mothers' knowledge about lead pollution such as: define pollution, lead pollution and lead poisoning, things that cause lead pollution in homes. Second tool ; Mothers health habits questionnaire was to assess the practices of mother regarding lead pollution. Third tool; An observational Checklist to assess homes environment Results : The results show that more than two fifth of study subjects have good knowledge scores regarding lead poisoning, but more than half of subjects have poor knowledge scores, more than three quarters of study subjects have satisfactory practices scores regarding lead poisoning, but more than one fifth of subjects have unsatisfactory practices scores and there is positive significant correlation between women knowledge about lead pollution and their practices. Conclusion: The most of the studied sample more than three quarters had satisfactory practices score, more than two fifth of study subjects have good knowledge scores and there was a positive significant correlation between women knowledge about lead pollution and their practices. Recommendation s: Health education programs should be available for mothers about lead poisoning and appropriate protection measures. Emphasis for mothers and families should be made on early case finding and proper measures in order to avoid or minimize complications.