Lessons from a primary-prevention program for lead poisoning among inner-city children.
This study evaluated the impact on childhood lead poisoning of a primary-prevention educational-intervention program for pregnant women in St. Louis, Missouri. The women were predominantly poor and of African-American, Hispanic, Asian, and Caucasian backgrounds. The interventions, tailored for each woman on the basis of responses to a survey and environmental measurements, included case management with hands-on instruction on cleaning techniques, property maintenance, hygiene, and nutrition to reduce exposure of newborns to lead. It was hypothesized that the probability of lead poisoning (blood lead levels greater than 10 microg/dL) would be reduced among mothers who received the interventions compared with those who received only printed educational material. Contrary to expectations, none of the interventions reduced the likelihood of lead poisoning among participating children. In the process of the study, however, a number of valuable lessons related to recruitment and commitment of participants emerged that can inform future efforts of this nature.
Dugbatey
Kwesi
K
Saint Louis University School of Public Health, Salus Center, MO 63104, USA. Dugbatey@slu.edu
Croskey
Valda
V
Evans
R Gregory
RG
Narayan
Gopal
G
Osamudiamen
Osa-Edoh
OE
D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000032:analysis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007854:Lead / Q000097:blood*; D007855:Lead Poisoning / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008923:Missouri; D011203:Poverty; D011247:Pregnancy; D011322:Primary Prevention; D014505:Urban Population
D007854:Lead