KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE OF LOCAL RESIDENTS IN FOUR WARDS OF DA NANG CITY : PREVENTING DIOXIN EXPOSURE THROUGH FOOD

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KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE OF LOCAL RESIDENTS IN FOUR WARDS OF DA NANG CITY : PREVENTING DIOXIN EXPOSURE THROUGH FOOD

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Friday, 02 April 2010 16:23

Da Nang Airbase served as bulk storage and supply facility for Agent Orange and other herbicides during “Operation Ranch Hand,” which lasted from 1961 to 1971. Local people living in the vicinity of the Da Nang Airbase as well as in other dioxin “hot spots” in Vietnam have likely faced a high risk of exposure to dioxin in soil, water, mud and particularly through consuming local contaminated foods. A recent study showed that samples of soil, mud, some local foods, blood, and breast milk had dioxin concentrations exceeded current environmental standards.

Continued with the success of the public health intervention program implemented in Bien Hoa dioxin hot spot, which reduced the risk of dioxin exposure for local residents in the implementation period of 2007-2009, the VPHA has received funding from the Ford Foundation in Vietnam to expand this intervention model to four wards (An Khe, Hoa Khe, Thanh Khe Tay, and Chinh Gian) in the vicinity of the Da Nang Airbase. In 2009, before developing and implementing this intervention program, a cross sectional survey on knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) was undertaken in the four most affected wards in Da Nang. This study aimed assess the KAP of 400 householders on dioxin and measures to prevent dioxin exposure through consuming contaminated food. 400 food handlers aged 16-60, were selected from households for interviews. The results showed that despite residence in a severe dioxin hot spot, respondents’ knowledge and practices on dioxin and preventive measures were very limited.

An intervention program to reduce the risk of dioxin exposure for local people living at four wards near Da Nang Airbase is urgently needed. The results of this survey will be presented at the workshop to be organized at early May in Da Nang City to develop a detail intervention program with active involvement of related local departments and stakeholders.

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