Abstract
A descriptive type of cross sectional study was conducted in Sharshaupazila under Jessore district on socioeconomic condition and health status of chronic arsenicosis patients from July to October, 2011. The prevalence of arsenicosis due to arsenic contamination of ground water may emerge in the form of epidemic and chronic arsenic exposure through drinking water is one of the major environmental hazards in Bangladesh. The main source of drinking water is shallow tube well (64%) among which 21% tube well has been red marked i.e., contaminated with arsenic poisoning. About 59.8% respondents have belonged to income deficit group and their monthly income decreased significantly. The chronic effect due to arsenic poisoning is about 32% and the men (69.33%) were more susceptible to arsenicosis. Among the affected patients identified problems were melanosis (94%), keratosis (33%), leucomelanosis (38%), respiratory problem (49%), loss of sensation (45%), bowen's (21.33%), oedema (9.33%), chronic nonhealing ulcer (6.33%), lung cancer (2%), and gangrene (0.66%). About 32.94% people consulted with homeopath for their treatment and only 22.35% people consulted with government health physician. To be aware of arsenicosis the health education must be improved within the community and the financial support; relevant training could be effective to reduce the arsenic poisoning.
Highlights
Groundwater contamination by arsenic is one of the largest problems in Bangladesh; millions of people are being affected by the arsenic in recent past
Arsenic contamination causes health hazard and putting continuous pressure on sociology-economic conditions of the people. It is affecting the people in the study area physically and economically, environmentally and socially
It is very urgent to ensure the enormous supply of safe water sources for the arsenic-prone areas
Summary
Groundwater contamination by arsenic is one of the largest problems in Bangladesh; millions of people are being affected by the arsenic in recent past. Huge numbers of tube-well were installed to protect the people from waterborne diseases, but water of the tube-well not properly tasted about the contamination of arsenic. People who have long term exposure to arsenic contaminated water more than 500mg/liter may die from cancer caused by arsenic. Statistic shows that arsenic contaminant cause chronic causality like as lung, bladder and skin cancer. Statistic shows that one in every ten people may fall in chronic diseases because of long term exposure of arsenic [1]. People of Bangladesh are facing largest poisoning of arsenic in recent history, and millions
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