Quality of life and its determinants among residents in endemic fluorosis areas with integrated intervention program

ObjectiveTo investigate the quality of life and its influencing factors among local residents in endemic fluorosis areas under integrated intervention program for controlling endemic fluorosis. MethodsBy using the MOS 36-Item Short Form Health Survey(SF-36),666 residents from 453 households in 4 towns were interviewed to assess the quality of life of the residents after implementing the integrated intervention program for controlling endemic fluorosis in Bijie city of Guizhou province.The determinants of the quality of life were analyzed with multiple linear regression models. ResultsThe rates of dental fluorosis in all residents and children aged 8-15 years were 84.2% and 53.2%,respectively.The rate of endemic fluorosis was 32.5%.The degree of the fluorosis of bone was related to 8 dimensions on quality of life.Age,two-week disease prevalence,extent of the fluorosis of bone,dental fluorosis,and baking food with coal fire were inversely correlated with the quality of life(P<0.05);higher education,higher family income,improved stoves,and the stretched out chimney were positively correlated with the quality of life(P<0.05). ConclusionThe health attitude of local residents has been raised gradually with continuous implemention of the integrated intervertion program and the establishment of a long-term management mechanism.The change of unhealthy life style in the residents also has a significant importance to improve the quality of life among the residents in edemic fluorosis areas.