Assessing Lead Knowledge and Perceptions among Michigan and Detroit Residents

Childhood lead poisoning remains a serious health problem in the United States. Measuring adult knowledge of and perceptions about childhood lead poisoning will help improve programs which need public involvement to eliminate lead poisoning. Using a test of knowledge to evaluate the extent of lead poisoning awareness in Michigan, we were able to identify specific areas that were left unaddressed by current educational programs. In administering the 24-item questionnaire developed and implemented in Chicago and New Orleans (Chicago Lead Knowledge Test), we surveyed a random sample of Michigan residents. The questions asked in the survey focused on six areas of lead knowledge: general information, prevention practices, nutrition, legal rights, lead exposure from water and non-traditional exposures to lead. Michigan residents surveyed had a reasonable understanding of lead exposure sources, but their awareness level decreased significantly when questioned about non-traditional sources of lead exposure. While respondents understood that lead exposure causes negative health effects in children, they had a lower level of knowledge on ways to limit or prevent a child's exposure to lead. Levels of lead knowledge were found to vary substantially between different socioeconomic and ethnic groups. Since lead poisoning disproportionately affects children living in poor, urban areas, additional efforts must be made to educate caregivers of at-risk children in these areas.