Water Quality 101: Comparison of Practicing PHNs' and Senior BSN Students' Water Knowledge and Attitudes

Background: Water quality, especially in California's agricultural areas, is problematic. It is the leading environmental concern for Americans, with some 260 identified contaminants. Some contaminants are naturally occurring, such as arsenic, but most are derived from agricultural and industrial pollution. Adverse health effects have been associated with high levels of contaminants, such as arsenic and nitrates, and the monetary cost of chronic childhood diseases linked to toxic chemical exposure is reported to exceed $55 billion annually. Environmental health is often lacking in nursing curricula, but there is growing interest among public health nurses to understand the link between the environment, the nation's health, and increasing health disparities. Purpose: Survey responses of senior level baccalaureate nursing students are compared with the findings of an earlier research study that examined PHNs knowledge level, attitudes and behaviors related to drinking water quality and adverse health effects of exposure to contaminants. Methods: PHNs in three county public health departments were surveyed regarding knowledge of their county's drinking water contaminants, adverse health effects that can result from exposure, and the signs and symptoms that may require additional investigation. These results will be compared with survey results from senior baccalaureate nursing students, attending a central California state university, who have recently completed community health nursing didactic coursework. Conclusions: Results from the PHN survey found that one-third of PHNs were unsure of problems with their drinking water, and almost half had no knowledge of the adverse health effects of nitrates and only limited knowledge about arsenic exposure.