Knowledge, awareness and perception of fluorosis among families residing in fluorotic endemic areas in North Gujarat after receiving Dharoi water supply as mitigation measure to curb fluorosis.

Ashish S Sharma; Ekta A. Malvania; Sona A Sheth; Mansoor S. Kachwala; Shreya M Shah; Parthasarathi Ganguly

Volume : VIII, Issue : VI, June - 2019

Knowledge, awareness and perception of fluorosis among families residing in fluorotic endemic areas in North Gujarat after receiving Dharoi water supply as mitigation measure to curb fluorosis.

Ashish S Sharma, Ekta A. Malvania, Sona A Sheth, Mansoor S. Kachwala, Shreya M Shah, Parthasarathi Ganguly

Abstract :

Introduction

Endemic fluorosis remains a challenging and extensively studied national health problem in India. It not only affects the body of a person but also renders them socially, economically and culturally crippled.

Objectives:

The purpose of this study was to assess the awareness, knowledge and perception regarding water quality, socioeconomic and clinical aspect of Dental and skeletal fluorosis among families residing in endemic areas for Fluorosis in North Gujarat after receiving Dharoi water supply as mitigation measure to curb fluorosis.

Methods:

A population based survey was done in hundred families of the ten villages of North Gujarat which were selected through Random Sampling technique

Results: Around 100 families including 473 members were surveyed. Only 8 families have awareness about Fluorosis and 53% of families strongly agree that the water causes ugly teeth and joint pain. Nearly 89% and about 80% of families had agreed that skeletal Fluorosis severely reduced the capacity for work and earning income and Dental Fluorosis reduces self–confidence, especially in girls respectively. Around 70% of families responded that, there is no relief in joint and back pain at all after using Dharoi water supply.

Conclusion:

It can be concluded that Fluorosis is a major Public Health problem in these ten villages of North Gujarat affecting people physically, socially and economically, even after the introduction of Dharoi water supply. It can be attributed to irregular and insufficient utilization of Dharoi water supply along with various myths and ostentations attached to usage of this water.