A fish consumption study of anglers in an at-risk community: a community-based participatory approach to risk reduction.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effectiveness of a community-partnered risk communication intervention tailored for subsistence anglers in a public housing community.


METHODS
A one group, pretest, posttest design was used to test the effectiveness of the intervention in a sample (n=23, age range 18-75 years, 100% African American) of subsistence anglers residing in a public housing community in close proximity to a Superfund clean-up site. Face-to-face surveys were conducted at baseline and 3 months post the intervention to assess changes in knowledge and behaviors.


METHODS
A socioculturally appropriate risk communication intervention was developed, implemented, and evaluated in the targeted community. The risk communication included an interactive power point presentation, visual demonstration by a role model, and distribution of low literacy written materials, followed by a booster mailing of materials 1 month past the initial intervention. Evaluation measures included survey instruments on knowledge and self-reported fishing behaviors.


RESULTS
Participants showed improved knowledge and behavior change related to trimming fish, consumption by pregnant women and children, and consumption of large fish.


CONCLUSIONS
The sociocultured tailored risk communication intervention demonstrated promising outcomes in this community and should be evaluated in a larger population of subsistence anglers.
Derrick
Corliss G
CG
School of Nursing, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, Georgia 30912, USA. coderrick@mcg.edu
Miller
Jacqueline S A
JS
Andrews
Jeannette M
JM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D003142:Communication; D019058:Community Networks; D004032:Diet; D005399:Fishes; D005506:Food Contamination; D005845:Georgia; D006256:Hazardous Waste; D006266:Health Education; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008875:Middle Aged; D024802:Nurse's Role; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior
D006256:Hazardous Waste