CAREGIVERS KNOWLEDGE AND PERCEPTIONS OF PREVENTING CHILDHOOD LEAD-POISONING

Philadelphia is considered a high-risk area for lead poisoning. The Ph iladelphia Department of Public Health conducts education and outreach to screen children and promote prevention. Prior to this study there were no systematic data on the community's knowledge and perceptions o f lead poisoning prevention. A 32-item questionnaire was developed to assess knowledge and perceptions of family caregivers of children youn ger than age 8. The survey was interviewer administered in pediatric c linics in two geographic areas of the city with documented severe and moderate lead poisoning rates. Eighty family caregivers were interview ed while waiting to see the pediatrician. Caregivers in the sample wer e connected to a health care system and resided in areas where lead co mmunity outreach was concentrated. Nevertheless, results suggest that even caregivers of children in high-risk areas do not mention lead poi soning as a health concern. About 61% of the sample identified eating paint chips as a cause of lead poisoning, whereas only 15% identified lead paint dust as a source of lead poisoning. Approximately 49% of th e caregivers reported that they ''never'' or only ''sometimes'' perfor m recommended prevention activities. The Philadelphia Department of Pu blic Health used these findings to review and modify education and out reach to prevent lead poisoning.