The effectiveness of an intervention to reduce risk of dioxin exposure in Da Nang: Changes in community knowledge, attitudes and prevention practices after 2.5 years

Hanh Thi Tuyet Tran, Anh Vu Le, Dunne P Michael, Tenkate Thomas, Toms Maree Leisa, Bich Ngoc Nguyen, Harden Fiona

Abstract


Environmental and biological samples taken around Da Nang Air Base have shown elevated levels of dioxin over many years1, 2, 3. A pre-intervention knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) survey (2009), a risk reduction program (2010) and a post intervention KAP survey (2011) were undertaken in four wards surrounding Danang Airbase. A follow-up evaluation was undertaken in 2013. A KAP survey was implemented among 400 randomly selected food handlers. Eleven indepth interviews and four focus group discussions were also undertaken. The knowledge of respondents remained positive and/or improved at 2.5 years follow-up.There were no significant differences in attitudes toward preventing dioxin exposure across surveys; most respondents were positive in all three surveys.An increase in households (69.5%) undertaking measures to prevent exposure was observed, which was higher than in the pre-intervention survey (39.6%) and post- intervention survey (60.4%) ( 2 = 95.6; p < 0.001). The proportion of respondents practicing appropriate preventive measures was also significantly improved. Despite most of the intervention programÊs activities ceasing in 2010, the risk reduction program has resulted in positive outcomes over the longer-term, with many knowledge and attitude measures remaining stable or imporving. Some KAP indicators decreased, but these KAP indicators were still significantly higher than the pre-intervention levels.


Keywords


Da Nang Airbase; KAP; dioxin; dioxin exposure through foods

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References


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