title: A videotape to improve parental knowledge of lead poisoning.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Disadvantaged children are at high risk for lead poisoning. Their parents often have poor knowledge of lead poisoning and do not know how to prevent lead poisoning in their child.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess an educational videotape's impact on parental knowledge and behavior about lead poisoning.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective study by self-administered parental survey immediately before (pretest) and after (posttest 1) well visits and mailed 2-4 weeks later (posttest 2). The intervention group watched the videotape immediately after the pretest.
  
  
  METHODS
  Pediatric clinic in tertiary care hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Consecutive sample of parents of 6-month-old to 6-year-old children (n = 146).
  
  
  METHODS
  Survey included demographic questions, the shortened Chicago Lead Knowledge Test (sCLKT), and questions about parental behaviors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean pretest scores were 5.8 (SD, 2.8) and 5.3 (SD, 2.2), posttest 1 scores were 6.0 (SD, 2.6) and 10.6 (SD, 2.1), and posttest 2 scores were 6.1 (SD, 2.8) and 9.5 (SD, 2.8) of 14 in the control and intervention groups, respectively. Control and intervention group posttest 1 and posttest 2 score differences were statistically significant (P <.05). Intervention group parents reported more frequent washing of their child's hands (P <.05) and windows, walls, or floors at study completion (P <.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The videotape significantly increased sCLKT scores and behaviors that may decrease children's risk of developing lead poisoning. Improvement persisted throughout the study period.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Drexel University College of Medicine, and Division of Ambulatory Pediatrics, St Christopher's Hospital for Children, Philadelphia, PA 19134, USA. hans.kersten@drexel.edu
authors.forename: Hans B
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: Kersten
authors.forename: Beth
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Moughan
authors.forename: Mary M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Moran
authors.forename: Nancy D
authors.initials: ND
authors.lastname: Spector
authors.forename: Laura E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Smals
authors.forename: Cynthia W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: DeLago
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006266:Health Education; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007855:Lead Poisoning / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010290:Parents; D010414:Pennsylvania; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014743:Videotape Recording