Lead education program with the Boys and Girls Club of Metro Atlanta

Approximately 3% of children in the United States have levels of lead in their blood above our currently established level of concern. Exposure to lead is a significant environmental health concern for children living in older housing, especially for low income and minority groups. Education and out...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International public health journal 2018-07, Vol.10 (3), p.351-360
Main Authors: Mahtani, Amrita G, Evans, Catherine G, Peters, Samuel J W, Fueta, Patrick O, Caudle, William M
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Children
Community involvement
Curricula
Disease control
Education
Environmental education
Environmental health
Exposure
Girls
Hazard identification
Housing
Lead
Lead content
Lead poisoning
Literacy
Low income groups
Minority & ethnic groups
Outreach programs
Parents
Public health
Visual aids
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Summary:Approximately 3% of children in the United States have levels of lead in their blood above our currently established level of concern. Exposure to lead is a significant environmental health concern for children living in older housing, especially for low income and minority groups. Education and outreach programs can improve environmental health literacy regarding lead exposure and mitigation. Methods: We designed a curriculum to educate and change behaviors related to sources of lead and mitigation. The curriculum drew upon expert and community partner input. We carried out a one-time class pilot for 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade children at a metro Atlanta Boys and Girls Club. The class contained an interactive game, visual aids, and an outreach component through a parents' night. Curriculum performance was evaluated using student knowledge pre, mid-point, and post course surveys. Results: We observed increases following the program for five knowledge categories; Hazard identification, routes of exposure, characteristics of lead, exposure sources and mitigation. Mean scores in all categories were higher than 50% in a post-course evaluation. Discussion with parents following the program indicated a need and appreciation for information regarding lead exposures and health effects. Conclusions: This curriculum demonstrated evidence for an increase in environmental health literacy regarding lead exposure and mitigation. Students were able to identify sources of lead and understand best behaviors for reducing exposures after participating in the interactive program. Stakeholder and community engagement were beneficial in creating this curriculum. Large scale implementation and continued curriculum refinement is recommended.
ISSN:1947-4989
2374-1023