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. 2004 Oct;94(10):1730-5.
doi: 10.2105/ajph.94.10.1730.

Results from a lay health advisor intervention to prevent lead poisoning among rural Native American children

Michelle Crozier Kegler  1 , Lorraine Halinka Malcoe
Affiliations

Results from a lay health advisor intervention to prevent lead poisoning among rural Native American children

Michelle Crozier Kegler et al. Am J Public Health. 2004 Oct.

Abstract

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.

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