James B, Adda C, Cardwell K, Annang D, Hell K, Korie S, Edorh M, Gbeassor F, Nagatey K, Houenou G
International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Cotonou, Benin.
Food Addit Contam. 2007 Nov;24(11):1283-91. doi: 10.1080/02652030701416558.
Rotary International with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) conducted an information campaign from 2000 to 2004 to increase public awareness of aflatoxin in Benin, Ghana and Togo. Key informant interviews with 2416 respondents showed poor baseline knowledge of aflatoxin and its health risks. The campaign included monitoring of aflatoxin contamination in maize grains from market stores in 38 cities and towns. Aflatoxin concentration in contaminated samples ranged from 24 to 117.5 ng g(-1) in Benin, from 0.4 to 490.6 ng g(-1) in Ghana, and from 0.7 to 108.8 ng g(-1) in Togo. The campaign significantly increased public awareness that populations were exposed to high levels of aflatoxin. The number of maize traders who were informed about the toxin increased 10.3 and 3.2 times in Togo and Benin, respectively; at least 33% more traders believed the information in each of Benin and Togo; 11.4 and 28.4% more consumers sorted out and discarded bad grains in Benin and Ghana, respectively. This paper concludes that sustained public education can help reduce aflatoxin contamination.
国际扶轮社与国际热带农业研究所（IITA）于2000年至2004年在贝宁、加纳和多哥开展了一场宣传活动，以提高公众对黄曲霉毒素的认识。对2416名受访者进行的关键信息提供者访谈显示，他们对黄曲霉毒素及其健康风险的基线知识了解甚少。该活动包括监测38个城镇市场商店中玉米籽粒的黄曲霉毒素污染情况。在贝宁，受污染样品中的黄曲霉毒素浓度范围为24至117.5纳克/克；在加纳为0.4至490.6纳克/克；在多哥为0.7至108.8纳克/克。该活动显著提高了公众对人群接触高剂量黄曲霉毒素情况的认识。在多哥和贝宁，了解该毒素的玉米贸易商数量分别增加了10.3倍和3.2倍；在贝宁和多哥，分别至少有33%以上的贸易商相信这些信息；在贝宁和加纳，分别有11.4%和28.4%以上的消费者挑选并丢弃了坏籽粒。本文得出结论，持续的公众教育有助于减少黄曲霉毒素污染。
