title: Integrated Pest Management Intervention in Child Care Centers Improves Knowledge, Pest Control, and Practices.
abstract: To reduce young children's exposure to pests and pesticides, an integrated pest management (IPM) intervention was provided for child care center staff.
  
  
  
  The 7-month IPM education and consultation intervention was conducted by trained nurse child care health consultants in 44 child care centers in California. IPM knowledge surveys were completed by child care staff, objective IPM assessments were completed by research assistants pre- and postintervention, and activity logs were completed by the nurses.
  
  
  
  There were significant increases in IPM knowledge for the child care staff who attended workshops. There were reductions in the prevalence of pests and increases in IPM practices at the postintervention compared with the preintervention time point. The nurses consulted an average of 5.4 hours per center.
  
  
  
  A nurse-led IPM intervention in child care centers can reduce exposure to harmful substances for young children attending child care centers.
authors.forename: Abbey
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Alkon
authors.forename: Sahar
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nouredini
authors.forename: Alicia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Swartz
authors.forename: Andrew Mason
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Sutherland
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stephens
authors.forename: Nita A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Davidson
authors.forename: Roberta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rose
mesh_terms: D002140:California / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002656:Child Day Care Centers; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D064701:Pediatric Nurse Practitioners / Q000193:education*; D010571:Pest Control / Q000379:methods*; D010575:Pesticides / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012572:School Health Services
chemical_list: D010575:Pesticides
keywords: Child care; child care health consultation; integrated pest management; pediatric nurse; pesticides; public health