Parental perceptions of barriers to blood lead testing.
BACKGROUND
This study identified barriers to blood lead testing from the perspective of parents of young children eligible for Medicaid.


METHODS
Data were gathered from three focus groups. Participants were asked if they were familiar with the dangers of high blood lead levels, rationale for not having a child tested for blood lead, what would facilitate having blood lead testing, and how they wanted to learn about blood lead poisoning.


RESULTS
Most parents (n=30) were unfamiliar with the causes and effects of lead poisoning. While many reported their child had been tested for lead, others were unsure because they were not told the purpose of blood draws. Participants suggested that having all services in one facility would decrease travel and thus facilitate blood lead testing; others wanted the discomfort associated with phlebotomy minimized. Participants preferred to learn about lead poisoning from low-literacy brochures, videos, and television ads.


CONCLUSIONS
Nurses should institute measures in their practice sites to improve blood lead poisoning prevention education and blood lead testing rates and to reduce the pain and anxiety associated with this procedure.
Polivka
Barbara J
BJ
Ohio State University, College of Nursing, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA. polivka.1@osu.edu
Gottesman
Mary Margaret
MM
D001294:Attitude to Health; D015984:Causality; D002648:Child; D002755:Choice Behavior; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006266:Health Education / Q000458:organization & administration; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D007255:Information Services; D020407:Internet; D007855:Lead Poisoning / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000592:standards*; D008484:Medicaid; D020380:Needs Assessment; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009820:Ohio; D010290:Parents / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology; D010371:Pediatric Nursing; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013664:Teaching Materials