Awareness Level About Lead Poisoning Among the Saudi Population in Arar City, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to evaluate the awareness regarding lead poisoning among the Saudi population of Arar, Saudi Arabia.

METHODS

A cross-sectional, online self-administered questionnaire-based method was utilized for data collection through convenience sampling from Arar, Saudi Arabia. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.

RESULTS

The study included 389 participants, with a majority (302 participants (77.6%)) of females with a mean age of 31.7 years (range 18-54 years). The source of information about lead poisoning was reported as the media in 264 participants (67.8%). The participants (197, 50.6%) reported children as the age group most at risk for lead poisoning. All suggested sources of exposure to lead were identified by 190 participants (48.9%). As for the most common effect of lead poisoning, mental impairment was reported by 101 participants (26%), while 107 (27.6%) participants reported nerve problems. Kidney problems were reported by 181 participants (46.4%). Gender significantly (P = 0.001) affects the participants' knowledge about the sources of lead poisoning, while knowledge about the routes of poisoning was significantly affected by the participants' age (P = 0.010).

CONCLUSION

In Saudi Arabia, there is limited knowledge of risk factors, route of poisoning, and management and prevention of lead poisoning. A comprehensive lead-poisoning prevention strategy must include a high level of public knowledge of lead hazards as a key component.