A videotape to improve parental knowledge of lead poisoning.
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.
Kersten
Hans B
HB
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
Moughan
Beth
B
Moran
Mary M
MM
Spector
Nancy D
ND
Smals
Laura E
LE
DeLago
Cynthia W
CW
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