Results From a Lay Health Advisor Intervention to Prevent Lead Poisoning Among Rural Native American Children.
- Resource Type
- Article
- Authors
- Kegler, Michelle Crozier; Malcoe, Lorraine Halinka
- Source
- American Journal of Public Health; Oct2004, Vol. 94 Issue 10, p1730-1735, 6p
- Subject
- Health of the indigenous peoples of the Americas
Lead poisoning
Lead poisoning prevention
Native American children
Children
Children's health
Hygiene
Public health
Rural health
Rural health services
Lead toxicology
Poisoning
Native Americans
Oklahoma
United States
- Language
- ISSN
- 00900036
Objectives. We tested the effectiveness of a community-based lay health advisor intervention for primary prevention of lead poisoning among Native American children who lived in a former mining area. Methods. We conducted cross-sectional population-based blood lead assessments of Native American and White children aged 1 to 6 years and in-person caregiver interviews before (n=331) and after (n=387) a 2-year intervention. Results. Mean childhood blood lead levels decreased and selected preventive behaviors improved for both Native American and White (comparison) communities. Several short-term outcomes also improved from pre-to postintervention, but only knowledge and hand-washing self-efficacy increased more among Native Americans than among Whites. Conclusions. Our findings provide limited support for the effectiveness of lay health advisor interventions as a primary lead poisoning prevention strategy for Native American communities. (Am J Public Health. 2004;94:1730-1735) Reprinted by permission of the publisher.