Rural residents' knowledge of lead poisoning prevention

This cross-sectional study assessed rural adults' knowledge of lead poisoning prevention. Residents of three rural Ohio counties were randomly selected to answer 15 True/False lead poisoning prevention questions and 12 demographic questions via telephone. Because not all residents have a phone, the survey was also mailed to Women, Infants and Children (WIC) recipients without phones in the three counties using Dillman's (1978) mailed survey methods. Both groups of respondents correctly answered an average of two-thirds of the questions. In the random sample (n = 1,211) correct scores were related to being elderly, unemployed, female, having a high school education or less, and not being exposed to lead poisoning prevention education during the previous week. Factors predictive of lower lead knowledge scores for the WIC respondents without phones (n = 69) were age (22 and 27 years), unemployment, marital status (married), type of dwelling (other than a single family home or apartment), and having fewer children. Most respondents were able to identify groups at high-risk for lead poisoning, that lead poisoning could occur in ways other than ingestion of lead paint chips, lead poisoning results in long-term learning problems in children, and a blood test is used to determine blood lead levels. Respondents were less knowledgeable about methods of lead exposure and the importance of prevention measures. Gaps in lead poisoning prevention knowledge exist for rural residents and educational efforts should focus on decreasing these gaps.