BLOOD LEAD LEVEL AMONG CHILDREN IN BASRAH

Abstract

ABSTRACT A cross sectional study to assess Blood Lead Levels (BLLs) among children in Basrah was carried out during July 2005. The study included children 1-6 years old attending three selected primary health care centres located at different socioeconomic areas in Basrah (representing both rural and urban communities). Two of the health centres are located in the city centre, one in a relatively high socioeconomic area (Al-Razi health centre) & the second in low socioeconomic area (Al-Seef health centre). The third health centre included in the study is located in Abul-Khasib district. The questionnaire method was used in collecting information regarding socioeconomic factors that may be related to environmental exposure to lead, and a blood sample was taken from each child to measure the blood lead level. The BLLs among children in this study ranged between 1 and 65 μg/dL (mean ± SD, 11.59 ± 9.1 μg/dL). Overall, 40.4% of children had elevated blood lead levels ≥10 mg/dL). The mean BLL was significantly higher for children who live in rural or in urban low socioeconomic area than that for children living in urban high socioeconomic area. Age above 2 years was significantly associated with elevated BLLs.