Community Health Services and Blood Lead Reduction in Children

Abstract

Objectives: To assess the effect of multidisciplinary community health services on reducing blood lead in children. Material and methods: Retrospective observational study, before-after type. The information of an intervention program in the “Mi Peru” district was analyzed. The population consisted of 1,191 children of both genders who had results of blood lead level and who were evaluated during 2016 and 2017. The sample consisted of 187 children with blood lead levels ≥10 μg/dL. Community health services had three components: comprehensive multidisciplinary care, health education and house calls. Results: The blood lead level at the start of the intervention, 88.5% (n=139) belonged to category II and 11.5% (n=18) belonged to category III. At the end of the intervention, 66.9% (n=105) resulted in category I, the proportion of lead levels belonging to categories II and III was reduced to 29.9% (n=47) and 3.2% (n=5) respectively. In relation to the blood lead level at the beginning of the intervention and at the end of the intervention, the initial mean of 13.96 μg/dL was reduced to 8.96 μg/dL and the median from 12.40 μg/dL to 8.20 μg/dL (p<0.001). Conclusions: Community health services reduced blood lead levels in children with elevated blood lead levels. It is suggested to promote and strengthen the comprehensive house calls and health education about the risks of lead exposure.