An Integrated Pest Management Intervention Improves Knowledge, Pest Control, and Practices in Family Child Care Homes

Michelle Stephens, Kimberly Hazard, Debra Moser, Dana Cox, Roberta Rose and Abbey Alkon
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Michelle Stephens: School of Nursing, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
Kimberly Hazard: School of Nursing, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
Debra Moser: School of Nursing, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
Dana Cox: School of Nursing, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
Roberta Rose: School of Nursing, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
Abbey Alkon: School of Nursing, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA

IJERPH, 2017, vol. 14, issue 11, 1-14

Abstract: To reduce young children’s exposure to pesticides when attending family child care homes (FCCHs), we developed an integrated pest management (IPM) intervention for FCCH directors. First, we developed IPM educational materials and resources to provide the foundation for an IPM educational intervention for FCCHs. Next, we conducted and evaluated a six-month nurse child care health consultant (CCHC)-led education and consultation IPM intervention to increase IPM knowledge, IPM practices, IPM policies, and decrease the presence or evidence of pests. The pilot intervention study was conducted by three CCHCs in 20 FCCHs in three counties in California. Pre- and post-intervention measures were completed by the FCCH directors and observation measures were completed by the CCHCs. Results indicated significant increases in IPM knowledge, ( t -statistic (degrees of freedom), ( t (df) = 2.55(10), p < 0.05), increases in IPM practices ( t (df) = ?6.47(17), p < 0.05), and a 90% reduction in the prevalence of pests. There were no significant differences in changes in IPM practices based on director education, FCCH county, or IPM intervention intensity or duration. A nurse-led IPM education and consultation intervention can reduce exposures of young children attending family child care homes to harmful chemicals.

Keywords: family child care home; integrated pest management; child care health consultant; environmental health; pesticides; pediatrics; nurse; public health; intervention (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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