Dioxin risk reduction programme at the most severe dioxin hot spot in Vietnam: Residual knowledge, attitude and practices five years post intervention

ABSTRACT

Bien Hoa Airbase was one of the bulk storage and supply facilities for defoliants during the Vietnam War. Environmental and biological samples taken around the airbase have elevated levels of dioxin. In 2007, a pre-intervention knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) survey of local residents living in Trung Dung and Tan Phong wards was undertaken regarding appropriate strategies to reduce dioxin exposure. A risk reduction programme was implemented in 2008 and post-intervention KAP surveys were undertaken in 2009 and 2013 to evaluate the longer term impacts. Quantitative assessment was undertaken via a KAP survey in 2013 among 600 local residents randomly selected from the two intervention wards and one control ward (Buu Long). Eight in-depth interviews and two focus group discussions were also undertaken for qualitative assessment. Most programme activities had ceased and dioxin risk communication activities had not been integrated into local routine health education programmes; however, main results generally remained and were better than that in Buu Long. In total, 48.2% of households undertook measures to prevent exposure, higher than those in pre- and post-intervention surveys (25.8% and 39.7%) and the control ward (7.7%). Migration and the sensitive nature of dioxin issues were the main challenges for the programme's sustainability.

KEYWORDS:

• Bien Hoa Airbase
• KAP
• dioxin exposure through foods
• five years post intervention

Acknowledgements

We would like to sincerely thank the Ford Foundation and Dr Charles Bailey for their financial support to the Public Health intervention programme. We also would like to give special thanks to the active participation of Vietnam Public Health Association, Dong Nai Public Health Association, Dong Nai and Bien Hoa Departments of Preventive Medicine, Bien Hoa Department of Health, collaborators, relevant local sectors, communal health centres at the Trung Dung, Tan Phong, and Buu Long wards during the data collection. Our gratitude goes to households at the three wards for their active participation in the intervention programme and in the surveys. The authors also would like to thank the Australian Development Scholarship, The Queensland University of Technology, The Dioxin Laboratory, Office 33, and The NCCR – North South Program for financially and/or technically supporting this study.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.