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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Carolyn H. Robinson, PhD, MPH, RN, College of Nursing, University of Tennessee at Knoxville, 1200 Volunteer Boulevard, Knoxville, TN 37996, 865-974-7616, huffrobinson@yahoo.com and Kevin G. Robinson, PhD, MSPH, Dept. of Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of Tennessee at Knoxville, 219A Perkins Hall, Knoxville, TN 37996.

One of the expanding roles of the nurse is to help communities maintain a healthy balance between preservation of resources and reduction of risk. An area receiving attention is the practice of recycling biosolids as a community sustainability strategy. This raises concern for public health providers. The environment, as part of the nursing metaparadigm, encompasses global environmental conditions associated with health. In 1997, the NINR acted on previous reports from IOM and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry that stressed the need for environmental nursing initiatives. NINR recommendations urged interdisciplinary partnerships among researchers. Suggested research areas included environmental risk, communication strategies, and differences in perceptions about environmental hazards among different populations. A descriptive-correlational study of biosolids recycling was conducted in the southeastern United States as part of a collaborative effort between nursing and environmental engineering researchers. The study assessed attitudes, knowledge and health risk perceptions of participants in two communities; one that had vigorously opposed biosolids recycling and one that had not. A 45-question telephone survey, utilizing a Likert scale, was developed and administered to 311 randomly selected adults in the two regions. Results indicated that the oppositional group possessed less biosolids knowledge than those in the non-oppositional community (higher income, more educated, mixed residential setting). Neither group was satisfied with the decision-making process relating to land application of biosolids in their community. Furthermore, respondents felt ill-informed about potential risks resulting from biosolids use. Interestingly, a majority of the sample believed that community health nurses, university scientists, and medical doctors are highly trustworthy. Conversely, very few participants reported that local utility companies and private land companies involved in land application of biosolids are highly trustworthy. Thus, honest communication with the public on environmental issues and related health risks is an area where knowledgeable community nurses can make a valuable contribution.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant in this session will be able to

• Assess the perception of health and safety risks experienced by the two different population groups
• Evaluate the level of decision-making processes utilized in the two communities regarding land application of bioloids
• Discuss the knowledge and attitudes of participants experiencing different levels of community involvement regarding land application of biosolids.

Keywords: Environmental Health, Public Health Nursing

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No