Determining the Knowledge Level of Public Health Nurses in Coastal Georgia Counties on the Causes and Toxic Effects of Methylmercury

Primary Faculty Mentor’s Name

Jeffrey W. Harris

Proposal Track

Student

Session Format

Paper Presentation

Abstract

Mercury is a highly toxic element that poses significant risks to human health. It concentrates in sediments of streams and lakes where it is converted into organic methylmercury and taken up by fish and other aquatic animals. Humans are exposed to methylmercury when they consume contaminated fish and seafood. The unborn, infants, and young children are especially vulnerable to methylmercury toxicity because it interferes with their rapidly developing nervous systems. Pregnant women and women who breastfeed can transfer methylmercury to their unborn children and infants through the placenta and breast milk. Therefore, an important medical intervention to prevent methylmercury toxicity is to educate parents of young children, pregnant women, and women who plan to become pregnant about the health risks, means of exposure, and healthy choices to prevent contamination.

Understanding the risks of methylmercury is vital to the practicing public health nurse. Such knowledge is critical, not only for diagnostic reasons, but also for patient education. Although educational modules designed to train nurses about methylmercury have been developed, there is still concern that most nurses do not understand the issue well enough to convey risks and healthy lifestyle choices to their patients. The objectives of this study were to increase awareness and knowledge of methylmercury toxicity among public health nurses in eight coastal Georgia counties. A test-intervention-retest design was developed and administered to nurses to determine if an educational intervention tool could increase their understanding and knowledge of the toxic effects of methylmercury and means of exposure and prevention. Nurses participated by taking a short pre-intervention survey, viewing an educational PowerPoint presentation, and retaking a short post-intervention survey. Differences between the pre-intervention and post-intervention scores were analyzed with a Wilcoxon rank sum test (α = 0.05). Post-intervention survey scores were significantly higher than pre-intervention scores for most questions and for the total score (P < 0.01).

Results of this study suggest that nurses’ understanding of methylmercury toxicity is limited, but can be improved with short, educational programs. Similar educational interventions could be used to equip nurses with information needed to educate patients about mercury toxicity and how it can be avoided. Extending this study by retesting the public health nurses’ knowledge six months after the educational intervention would provide stronger conclusions regarding improvement of their understanding of methylmercury toxicity and prevention.

Keywords

Fish consumption, Mercury exposure, Public health concerns, Nursing, Continuing education

Award Consideration

1

Location

Room 2903

Presentation Year

2014

Start Date

11-15-2014 1:45 PM

End Date

11-15-2014 2:45 PM

Publication Type and Release Option

Presentation (Open Access)

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Nov 15th, 1:45 PM Nov 15th, 2:45 PM

Determining the Knowledge Level of Public Health Nurses in Coastal Georgia Counties on the Causes and Toxic Effects of Methylmercury

Room 2903

Mercury is a highly toxic element that poses significant risks to human health. It concentrates in sediments of streams and lakes where it is converted into organic methylmercury and taken up by fish and other aquatic animals. Humans are exposed to methylmercury when they consume contaminated fish and seafood. The unborn, infants, and young children are especially vulnerable to methylmercury toxicity because it interferes with their rapidly developing nervous systems. Pregnant women and women who breastfeed can transfer methylmercury to their unborn children and infants through the placenta and breast milk. Therefore, an important medical intervention to prevent methylmercury toxicity is to educate parents of young children, pregnant women, and women who plan to become pregnant about the health risks, means of exposure, and healthy choices to prevent contamination.

Understanding the risks of methylmercury is vital to the practicing public health nurse. Such knowledge is critical, not only for diagnostic reasons, but also for patient education. Although educational modules designed to train nurses about methylmercury have been developed, there is still concern that most nurses do not understand the issue well enough to convey risks and healthy lifestyle choices to their patients. The objectives of this study were to increase awareness and knowledge of methylmercury toxicity among public health nurses in eight coastal Georgia counties. A test-intervention-retest design was developed and administered to nurses to determine if an educational intervention tool could increase their understanding and knowledge of the toxic effects of methylmercury and means of exposure and prevention. Nurses participated by taking a short pre-intervention survey, viewing an educational PowerPoint presentation, and retaking a short post-intervention survey. Differences between the pre-intervention and post-intervention scores were analyzed with a Wilcoxon rank sum test (α = 0.05). Post-intervention survey scores were significantly higher than pre-intervention scores for most questions and for the total score (P < 0.01).

Results of this study suggest that nurses’ understanding of methylmercury toxicity is limited, but can be improved with short, educational programs. Similar educational interventions could be used to equip nurses with information needed to educate patients about mercury toxicity and how it can be avoided. Extending this study by retesting the public health nurses’ knowledge six months after the educational intervention would provide stronger conclusions regarding improvement of their understanding of methylmercury toxicity and prevention.