title: Using behavior change to reduce child lead exposure in resource-poor settings: a formative study.
abstract: The objective of this formative research was to explore the acceptability and feasibility of changing housekeeping behaviors as a low-cost approach that may reduce childhood lead exposure in Johannesburg, South Africa. Using the Trials of Improved Practices (TIPs) methodology, modified housekeeping behaviors were negotiated with participants who chose the behaviors they wanted to try and then performed them in their homes over 4 weeks. Researchers interviewed them at the end of the month to understand their experience of trying out the behaviors. The modified behaviors offered to each participant were as follows: cleaning window sills with detergent and water, cleaning window sills more frequently, mopping floors with two buckets (one with soapy water for washing and one with clean water for rinsing), mopping floors more frequently, dusting surfaces with detergent and water and dusting surfaces more frequently. Participants found cleaning window sills with soap and water and cleaning them more often the most acceptable and feasible of behavior modifications. Environmental samples showed a significant reduction in lead dust on window sills. These findings can assist in the development of acceptable and feasible medium-term interventions to reduce childhood lead exposure in resource-poor settings until more robust health policies are implemented.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, Washington, DC 20201, USA, Environment and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, University of Johannesburg, University of the Witwatersrand, Houghton 2041, South Africa, Faculty of Human Sciences, London South Bank University, London SE1 0AA, UK, Epidemiology and Population Sciences Department, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK and Psychology Department, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg 2006, South Africa monicafeit@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: M N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Feit
authors.affiliation: Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, Washington, DC 20201, USA, Environment and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, University of Johannesburg, University of the Witwatersrand, Houghton 2041, South Africa, Faculty of Human Sciences, London South Bank University, London SE1 0AA, UK, Epidemiology and Population Sciences Department, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK and Psychology Department, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg 2006, South Africa.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mathee
authors.affiliation: Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, Washington, DC 20201, USA, Environment and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, University of Johannesburg, University of the Witwatersrand, Houghton 2041, South Africa, Faculty of Human Sciences, London South Bank University, London SE1 0AA, UK, Epidemiology and Population Sciences Department, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK and Psychology Department, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg 2006, South Africa Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, Washington, DC 20201, USA, Environment and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, University of Johannesburg, University of the Witwatersrand, Houghton 2041, South Africa, Faculty of Human Sciences, London South Bank University, London SE1 0AA, UK, Epidemiology and Population Sciences Department, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK and Psychology Department, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg 2006, South Africa.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Harpham
authors.affiliation: Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, Washington, DC 20201, USA, Environment and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, University of Johannesburg, University of the Witwatersrand, Houghton 2041, South Africa, Faculty of Human Sciences, London South Bank University, London SE1 0AA, UK, Epidemiology and Population Sciences Department, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK and Psychology Department, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg 2006, South Africa.
authors.forename: B R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Barnes
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006796:Household Work; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007855:Lead Poisoning / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D013019:South Africa