"MR. LEAD SPOT- An Evaluation of a Lead Poisoning Prevention EducationProgram among Preschool Children”

Jennifer Delsole, FUSON, BSN(c), Eileen O’Shea, DNP, RN, Tess Deshefy-Longhi, DNS, RNFairfield University

"MR. LEAD SPOT- An Evaluation of a Lead Poisoning Prevention EducationProgram among Preschool Children”

Jennifer Delsole, FUSON, BSN(c), Eileen O’Shea, DNP, RN, Tess Deshefy-Longhi, DNS, RNFairfield University

Purpose:The purpose of this study was to examine the difference in preschool children’s knowledge concerning: where lead is found; how to prevent lead poisoning; and what children should and should not put in their mouths before and after attending an interactive lead poisoning prevention education session.

Purpose:The purpose of this study was to examine the difference in preschool children’s knowledge concerning: where lead is found; how to prevent lead poisoning; and what children should and should not put in their mouths before and after attending an interactive lead poisoning prevention education session.

Background & Significance:•Lead poisoning is a one of the most preventable environmental health issues among preschool age children.

•The effects of lead are dangerous to the young child’s developing central nervous system and may lead to significant behavioral and learning problems, poor school performance, lower IQ’s, and decreased function across the life span.

•Children living in Bridgeport are at a particular risk for exposure to lead poisoning because the houses are older (built before 1972 when lead was eliminated from paint) and most are made of wood frames.

Background & Significance:•Lead poisoning is a one of the most preventable environmental health issues among preschool age children.

•The effects of lead are dangerous to the young child’s developing central nervous system and may lead to significant behavioral and learning problems, poor school performance, lower IQ’s, and decreased function across the life span.

•Children living in Bridgeport are at a particular risk for exposure to lead poisoning because the houses are older (built before 1972 when lead was eliminated from paint) and most are made of wood frames.

Methods:• A random sample of 195 preschoolers was tested by baccalaureate student nurses during their pediatric clinical rotation.

• The children took a picture questionnaire as a pretest measure.

• Each preschooler then attended a 20 minute interactive puppet show focused on lead poisoning prevention education.

• One week following the puppet show, the same children were post tested by retaking the picture questionnaire to determine the effectiveness of the Mr. Lead Spot intervention

Methods:• A random sample of 195 preschoolers was tested by baccalaureate student nurses during their pediatric clinical rotation.

• The children took a picture questionnaire as a pretest measure.

• Each preschooler then attended a 20 minute interactive puppet show focused on lead poisoning prevention education.

• One week following the puppet show, the same children were post tested by retaking the picture questionnaire to determine the effectiveness of the Mr. Lead Spot intervention

Implications for Pediatric Nursing:The “Mr. Lead Spot” Program is

an interactive educational program that can be utilized by school or public health nurses to communicate prevention strategies to preschoolers who are at particular risk for exposure to lead dust in their environment.

Implications for Pediatric Nursing:The “Mr. Lead Spot” Program is

an interactive educational program that can be utilized by school or public health nurses to communicate prevention strategies to preschoolers who are at particular risk for exposure to lead dust in their environment.

References:American Academy of Pediatrics, Committee on Environmental Health. (2005). Lead exposure in children: Prevention, detection, and management. Pediatrics, 116 (4), 1036-1046.

Ball, J.W. & Bindler, R.C. (2008). Pediatric nursing. (4th ed.). Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson Prentice Hall.Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (2009). Lead. Retrieved September 24, 2009, from http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/.

Erickson, L., & Thompson, T. (2005). A review of preventable poison: Pediatric lead poisoning. Journal of Pediatric Nursing, 10 (4), 171-182.Hockenberry, M., & Wilson, D. (2008). Wong’s nursing care of infants and children. (8th ed.). St Louis: C.V. Mosby Company.

Jordan, C. M., Yust, B.L., Robison, L.L., Hannan, P., Deinard, A.S. (2003). A randomized trial of education to prevent lead burden in children at high risk for lead exposure: Efficacy as measured by blood lead monitoring. Environmental Health Perspectives, 111, 1947-1951.

References:American Academy of Pediatrics, Committee on Environmental Health. (2005). Lead exposure in children: Prevention, detection, and management. Pediatrics, 116 (4), 1036-1046.

Ball, J.W. & Bindler, R.C. (2008). Pediatric nursing. (4th ed.). Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson Prentice Hall.Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (2009). Lead. Retrieved September 24, 2009, from http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/.

Erickson, L., & Thompson, T. (2005). A review of preventable poison: Pediatric lead poisoning. Journal of Pediatric Nursing, 10 (4), 171-182.Hockenberry, M., & Wilson, D. (2008). Wong’s nursing care of infants and children. (8th ed.). St Louis: C.V. Mosby Company.

Jordan, C. M., Yust, B.L., Robison, L.L., Hannan, P., Deinard, A.S. (2003). A randomized trial of education to prevent lead burden in children at high risk for lead exposure: Efficacy as measured by blood lead monitoring. Environmental Health Perspectives, 111, 1947-1951.

Results:• A matched t-test was conducted between pre-test and post-test data to determine the effect of the educational session on preschooler’s learning.

• There was a significant difference in the Pre-test (Mean= 1.54, SD=.82) and Post-test (M=2.2, SD=.82) scores; p < .001.

• These results suggest that when preschool age children participate in the interactive puppet program, they are able to recognize where lead is found; how to prevent lead poisoning; and what they should and should not put in their mouths.

Results:• A matched t-test was conducted between pre-test and post-test data to determine the effect of the educational session on preschooler’s learning.

• There was a significant difference in the Pre-test (Mean= 1.54, SD=.82) and Post-test (M=2.2, SD=.82) scores; p < .001.

• These results suggest that when preschool age children participate in the interactive puppet program, they are able to recognize where lead is found; how to prevent lead poisoning; and what they should and should not put in their mouths.

Acknowledgements:• Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program

• Lead Elimination Action Program (LEAP), a program of Bridgeport Neighborhood Trust

• Professors Lydia Greiner, MSN, APRN & Kathleen Lovanio, MSN, APRN

• Fairfield University Baccalaureate nursing students in NS 323, Nursing of Children and Family

• The various Preschools in the towns of Bridgeport, and West Haven, CT

Acknowledgements:• Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program

• Lead Elimination Action Program (LEAP), a program of Bridgeport Neighborhood Trust

• Professors Lydia Greiner, MSN, APRN & Kathleen Lovanio, MSN, APRN

• Fairfield University Baccalaureate nursing students in NS 323, Nursing of Children and Family

• The various Preschools in the towns of Bridgeport, and West Haven, CT

Children were sent home with pamphlets to provide education to families about the risk of lead poisoning and how to prevent it.