Community Lead Awareness Partnership (CLAP) for Healthy Kids ^†

Abstract

The primary objectives of this project were to improve the education of general people with respect to the prevention of lead poisoning in children through outreach and community-based training and to support the development of infrastructure for the sustainability of lead-prevention efforts. Methods: The study was conducted in Forrest County, Hattiesburg, Mississippi. CLAP staff distributed educational materials and spoke at a wide variety of venues, making over 50 public appearances at health fairs, kindergarten schools, neighborhood meetings, community events and the local park. Education on childhood lead prevention was provided through organized health fairs (n = 467), community events (n = 469), and kindergarten classes (n = 241). Hands-on training was offered at home-building retail stores (n = 25). The EPA/HUD online visual training was provided to realtors (n = 220), inspectors, contractors and do-it-yourself (DIY) workers (n = 75). Training workshops were attended by homebuyers and rental home owners at Neighborhood Association Meetings (n = 91). The impact of training was evaluated by pre- and post-tests. Results: Hands-on Training: Nearly 90% of the participants (n = 25) reported the hands-on training was useful. EPA/HUD Online Training: At the post-test, 59.4%, 67.9% and 65.1% of the participants (n = 220) identified soil, car batteries and paint as sources of lead in the environment, respectively. Nearly 70% identified lead as a poison in the environment, while 77.5% and 47.2% of those surveyed demonstrated two different behaviors which will help to prevent lead poisoning. A total of 62.3%, 48.1% and 58.5% participants at the post-test identified three complications (mental, physical and psychological), respectively. The mean post-test score was significantly higher than the pretest scores (7.47 ± 2.07 vs. 6.60 ± 1.68, respectively). At the 2-month follow-up, all participants reported that that they had used information obtained during the training on the EPA-HUD curriculum on lead. The outcome measurements of the homebuyer workshops were not significantly different from those of the online training. Conclusions: This training activities were successful in improving community knowledge on the prevention of childhood lead poisoning. Community programs are essential for ensuring the primary prevention of lead poisoning.