Addressing decreasing blood lead screening rates in young children in Broken Hill, NSW

Katina Kardamanidis; David M. Lyle; Frances Boreland

doi:10.1071/NB08040

RESEARCH ARTICLE

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Addressing decreasing blood lead screening rates in young children in Broken Hill, NSW

Katina Kardamanidis ^A ^D , David M. Lyle ^B and Frances Boreland ^C

+ Author Affiliations

- Author Affiliations

^A NSW Public Health Officer Training Program, NSW Department of Health

^B Broken Hill University Department of Rural Health, University of Sydney

^C Broken Hill Centre for Remote Health Research, Joint Initiative of the University of Sydney and Greater Western Area Health Service

^D Corresponding author. Email: Katina.Kardamanidis@doh.health.nsw.gov.au

NSW Public Health Bulletin 19(10) 180-182 https://doi.org/10.1071/NB08040
Published: 21 November 2008

Abstract

This paper outlines the findings of a review commissioned in response to concerns about declining attendance of young children for blood lead screening in Broken Hill, NSW. A review of the literature and feedback from the local community revealed that reasons for reduced screening attendance elsewhere can be applied here, but that any proposed response should take account of local conditions.

Redressing the declining attendance for blood lead screening will require more than raising community awareness, educating carers and enhancing the acceptability of the screening service. A whole-of-community approach to environmental lead management that goes beyond the specific responsibilities of the health sector is required.

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge the important contribution to this project from Vilmae McManus, Kelli Schultz and Angela Tiziani of the Lead Health Program.

References

[1] Australian Bureau of Statistics. Census QuickStats: Broken Hill (Urban Centre/Locality). 2006. Available from: http://www.censusdata.abs.gov.au/ (Cited 28 May 2008.)

[2] Lyle DM, Phillips A, Balding W, Burke H, Stokes D, Corbett S, et al. Dealing with lead in Broken Hill: trends in blood lead levels in young children 1991–2003. Sci Total Environ 2006; 359 111–9.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | PubMed | CAS | (Cited 28 May 2008.)

[6] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Recommendations and Reports: interpreting and managing blood lead levels <10 μg/dL in children and reducing childhood exposures to lead. MMWR 2007; 56(RR08): 1–16.
(Cited 28 May 2008.)

[8] Boreland F, Lyle D. Using performance indicators to monitor attendance at the Broken Hill Blood Lead Screening Clinic. Environ Res 2008; In press.

[9] Boreland F, Lyle D. Screening children for elevated blood lead: learnings from the literature. Sci Total Environ 2008; 390 13–22.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | PubMed | CAS | (Cited 28 May 2008.)