2018 Volume 1 Issue 1 Pages 25-34
Purpose
In Mongolia, a company did exploratory mining of a uranium deposit in Dornogovi Province and abandoned radioactive soil for a few years. The people living near the deposit were never informed of the situation. Therefore, an action research aimed to foster the people’s preparation to respond to radiation exposure was introduced. Prior to commencing community activities, we conducted a study aimed knowing the people’s health status and knowledge and utilizing those to develop effective activities.
Method
Zuunbayan subdistrict in Sainshand District in Dornogovi agreed to participate in the research. A health checkup and questionnaire study was implemented in July 2017 at Zuunbayan Hospital in 272 children and 300 adults who agreed to participate. The adults answered to the questionnaire about their knowledge of radiation and their intention to participate in the activities. The adults who came up to the Hospital for receiving their health checkup results in September 2017 answered to the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale questionnaire.
Results
Only a few needed further examination and medical consultation. Remarkable results were high positive proportions in the urinary bilirubin among both children and adults (45-60%) and approximately 30% of the under five children were overweight. One-eighth of the adults knew somewhat about the radiation and its health effects, and three-fourths intended to participate in the activities. The resilience scores in 139 persons was 67.1 out of 100 on average and had no correlation with age or sex.
Discussion
These participants were healthy as a whole, however, there might be many suspected carriers of viral hepatitis. Although a small number of people knew about the radiation and its health effects, they were well motivated to participate in the activities. We will work with the people on the activities including correct information dissemination of radiation and its health effects and general health issues.
https://ror.org/012eh0r35 