Journal of Environmental Health Sciences (한국환경보건학회지)

Korean Society of Environmental Health (한국환경보건학회)
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Pregnant and Childbearing-age Women's Knowledge and Awareness of Human Mercury Exposure Risks in Korea

우리나라 임신부와 가임기 여성의 인체 수은 노출 위험 인식과 지식

  • Kim, Yu-Mi (Dong-A University College of Medicine Department of Preventive Medicine & Dong-A University Heavy Metal Exposure Environmental Health Center) ;
  • Seo, Jeong-Wook (Dong-A University College of Medicine Department of Preventive Medicine & Dong-A University Heavy Metal Exposure Environmental Health Center) ;
  • Choi, Sung-Yong (Soonchunhyang University Gumi Hospital, the Environmental Health Center for Hazardous Gas Exposure) ;
  • Woo, Kuck-Hyeun (Soonchunhyang University Gumi Hospital, the Environmental Health Center for Hazardous Gas Exposure) ;
  • Oh, Inbo (Environmental Health Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine) ;
  • Kim, Yangho (Environmental Health Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine) ;
  • Kim, Byoung-Gwon (Dong-A University College of Medicine Department of Preventive Medicine & Dong-A University Heavy Metal Exposure Environmental Health Center) ;
  • Hong, Young-Seoub (Dong-A University College of Medicine Department of Preventive Medicine & Dong-A University Heavy Metal Exposure Environmental Health Center)
  • 김유미 (동아대학교 예방의학교실.중금속노출 환경보건센터) ;
  • 서정욱 (동아대학교 예방의학교실.중금속노출 환경보건센터) ;
  • 최성용 (순천향대학교 구미병원 유해가스노출 환경보건센터) ;
  • 우극현 (순천향대학교 구미병원 유해가스노출 환경보건센터) ;
  • 오인보 (울산대학교병원 아토피질환 환경보건센터) ;
  • 김양호 (울산대학교병원 아토피질환 환경보건센터) ;
  • 김병권 (동아대학교 예방의학교실.중금속노출 환경보건센터) ;
  • 홍영습 (동아대학교 예방의학교실.중금속노출 환경보건센터)
  • Received : 2017.09.12
  • Accepted : 2017.12.11
  • Published : 2017.12.30
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Abstract

Objectives: Pregnant women and those of childbearing age are a well-known sensitive population for human mercury exposure. Therefore, this study was conducted to reveal and enrich basic information for effective risk communication to reduce the adverse health effects of mercury exposure. Methods: A self-administered questionnaire survey was conducted among 432 women aged 19-44 years, recruited conveniently from three different regions (Busan, Ulsan, and Gumi City). Questionnaires were developed by referring to the existing literature and through expert meetings. They consisted of questions on knowledge and awareness of mercury exposure risks, health information literacy, and relevant information. Results: The rank of perceived mercury health risk score was 5 out of 16 environmental risk factors, and 41.7% of participants thought that even a very little mercury could lead to an adverse health effect. Although 90.3% of participants had knowledge that childbearing age women must pay attention to fish intake, only 38.9% of participants knew the national fish intake guidelines for pregnant women. Conclusions: Although risk perception and knowledge of pregnancy-specific features of mercury were relatively high, the national fish intake guidelines were still not well recognized. It could be an effective strategy to provide evidence-based and targeted information articulated by professionals using internet based communication channels.

Keywords

References

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