A videotape to improve parental knowledge of lead poisoning

Disadvantaged children are at high risk for lead poisoning. Their parents often have poor knowledge of lead poisoning and do not know how to prevent lead poisoning in their child.

To assess an educational videotape's impact on parental knowledge and behavior about lead poisoning.

Prospective study by self-administered parental survey immediately before (pretest) and after (posttest 1) well visits and mailed 2-4 weeks later (posttest 2). The intervention group watched the videotape immediately after the pretest.

Pediatric clinic in tertiary care hospital.

Consecutive sample of parents of 6-month-old to 6-year-old children (n = 146).

Survey included demographic questions, the shortened Chicago Lead Knowledge Test (sCLKT), and questions about parental behaviors.

Mean pretest scores were 5.8 (SD, 2.8) and 5.3 (SD, 2.2), posttest 1 scores were 6.0 (SD, 2.6) and 10.6 (SD, 2.1), and posttest 2 scores were 6.1 (SD, 2.8) and 9.5 (SD, 2.8) of 14 in the control and intervention groups, respectively. Control and intervention group posttest 1 and posttest 2 score differences were statistically significant (P <.05). Intervention group parents reported more frequent washing of their child's hands (P <.05) and windows, walls, or floors at study completion (P <.05).

The videotape significantly increased sCLKT scores and behaviors that may decrease children's risk of developing lead poisoning. Improvement persisted throughout the study period.