Methylmercury: Risk communication and exposure biomarker preferences among American Indian women of childbearing-age

Introduction: Current modes of risk communication about the dangers of eating sport-caught and commercial fish contaminated with methylmercury may be insufficient to protect certain vulnerable populations and prevent exposure to the fetus and young children. A better understanding of risk characterization and preferred modes of communication is needed in order to protect American Indian childbearing women and their children.

Purpose/Aims: The specific aims of this study were to (a) investigate risk awareness and (b) identify preferred risk communication and exposure biomarker modes in American Indian women of childbearing age enrolled in a tribal Women, Infant, and Children (WIC) program. This study adapted questions utilized in the Anderson et al. (2004) 12-state fish consumption advisory message awareness research to investigate the study aims.

Methods: A tribal research assistant administered an electronic survey using Snap software to a purposive sample of 65 American Indian women enrolled in a tribal Women, Infant, and Children (WIC) program between March-June 2006. Participants were given written and verbal information regarding the purpose of the study, assured that their decision or refusal to participate would not affect their WIC benefits, and received a $10 WalMart gift card participation incentive. The data from the survey were coded and entered into SPSS 14.0 and include a descriptive analysis of the study variables.

Results: Of the study participants, 80% were unaware of any state or tribal advisories or fish consumption guidelines. Most of the women (86%) rated their knowledge of mercury contamination of fish as “very little” or “none.” Primary risk communication preferences categorized as “very useful” were “doctors or other healthcare providers” (78%), “newsletters sent to the home” (57%), and tribal officials (43%). Participants were equally willing to provide a hair (78%) or a blood (78%) sample to determine exposure.

Conclusion: Methylmercury advisory awareness is low and the potential for exposure is high among American Indian women enrolled in a tribal WIC program who consume sport-caught fish. Healthcare providers represent the most important influence for communicating risk messages.