| dc.creator |
Joseph, Lucia |
|
| dc.creator |
Mtei, Kelvin |
|
| dc.creator |
Pasape, Liliane |
|
| dc.creator |
Kassim, Neema |
|
| dc.date |
2021-02-23T06:11:50Z |
|
| dc.date |
2021-02-23T06:11:50Z |
|
| dc.date |
2019-10-27 |
|
| dc.date.accessioned |
2022-10-25T09:24:34Z |
|
| dc.date.available |
2022-10-25T09:24:34Z |
|
| dc.identifier |
2222-5234 |
|
| dc.identifier |
https://dspace.nm-aist.ac.tz/handle/20.500.12479/1127 |
|
| dc.identifier.uri |
http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/95579 |
|
| dc.description |
This research article published by the International Journal of Biosciences, Vol. 15, No. 4, 2019 |
|
| dc.description |
A study was conducted around the slopes of Mount Meru in Arumeru district of Arusha region at Ngarenanyuki
ward, to update the awareness of the potential routes of human exposure to unacceptable levels of fluoride. Long
term consumption of fluorine contaminated water and food, in addition to the use of fluoridated products,
increases fluoride accumulation in the body. A cross-sectional, multi-phase sample design, in-depth structured
questionnaires, informant interviews, and group discussions were carried out. Women aged between 15-45 years
were involved. Participants identified water used for domestic purposes was the leading (68.63%) route of
fluoride contaminant. Findings revealed that the majority (70.6%) of the participants were not aware of the
potential sources of fluoride contaminants such as grown food crops/vegetables and fluoridated products. In
addition, most (84.93%) of the respondents were using fluoridated toothpaste and children were not assisted or
supervised as they use it which could lead to swallowing of the paste and increase the accumulation of fluoride in
the body. Most (77 %) of the participants reported that their children had brown teeth enamel and use tap water
as their primary source of domestic and drinking water. There were neither household‘s fluoride management
methods nor alternative domestic water sources identified by participants at the household level. This study
recommends an in-depth study to evaluate fluoride levels in all potential routes of contamination, to guide
management of dental and skeletal fluorosis in the community. Interventions to reduce fluoride contamination
in this endemic area are necessary to combat health risks associated with their exposure. |
|
| dc.format |
application/pdf |
|
| dc.language |
en |
|
| dc.publisher |
International Journal of Biosciences |
|
| dc.subject |
Fluoride awareness |
|
| dc.subject |
Fluoride contaminant sources |
|
| dc.title |
Community awareness on fluoride contaminant sources: a case study at Mount Meru slopes in Northern Tanzania |
|
| dc.type |
Article |
|