Needs Assessment and Intervention Strategies to Reduce Lead-Poisoning Risk Among Low-Income Ohio Toddlers

Objective: Examine parental receipt of lead-poisoning prevention information and preferred methods of receiving this information.

Design: Cross-sectional mailed survey of parents with children 1-2-year-old-enrolled in Medicaid.

Sample: Respondents (n=532) were primarily female, white, with at least a high school education, and between the ages of 20-30 years.

Measurements: Items from the Blood Lead Education and Screening Tool concerning parental receipt of lead-poisoning prevention information, persons with whom parents had discussed lead-poisoning prevention, parental receipt of a reminder about blood lead testing, and parents’ preferred methods of obtaining lead-poisoning prevention information.

Results: Most respondents had obtained lead-poisoning prevention information, but only 28% reported receiving a reminder to have their child’s blood lead level assessed. Brochures and discussions with health care providers were the preferred methods of obtaining lead-poisoning prevention information. More minority respondents preferred receiving information via videos, billboards, and home visits. Younger parents preferred brochures, billboards, and speaking with someone at the health department or women, infants, and children supplemental nutrition (WIC). Most respondents identified multiple means by which they would like to receive lead-poisoning prevention information.

Conclusions: Implementation of individual, community, and system-level interventions by public health nurses are needed for comprehensive lead-poisoning prevention education.