Abstract
The objectives of this study were to ascertain the prevalence and potential sources of lead exposure among pregnant women
residing in a socially-disadvantaged immigrant community in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Pregnant women (n = 140) receiving prenatal
care through a community clinic participated in a structured interview and screening to measure their blood lead levels (BLLs).
Potential sources of lead exposure were ascertained by the CDC and New Mexico Department of Health questionnaires. Self-reported
risk factors were examined as predictors of BLLs using multiple linear regression and partial least squares discriminant analysis.
Most patients were Spanish-speaking (88.6%), Latina (95%), foreign-born (87.1%), lacked health insurance (86.4%), and had
a high school education or lower (84.3%). While risk factors were prevalent in this population, only three women (2.1%) had
BLLs ≥3 μg/dL. Results of multivariate analyses demonstrated that pica symptoms in pregnancy, history of elevated BLLs before
pregnancy, use of non-commercial pottery, and living in older houses were important predictors of elevated BLLs. Although
the prevalence of other risk factors relevant to immigrant communities (i.e., use of traditional/folk remedies and cosmetics,
seasonings and food products from Mexico) was high, they were not predictive of elevated BLLs. Clinics providing prenatal
care to immigrant Hispanic communities should carefully assess patients’ pica symptoms, use of non-commercial pottery, and
a history of elevated BLLs. Moreover, additional efforts need to focus on the development of screening questionnaires which
better reflect exposures of concern in this population.
residing in a socially-disadvantaged immigrant community in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Pregnant women (n = 140) receiving prenatal
care through a community clinic participated in a structured interview and screening to measure their blood lead levels (BLLs).
Potential sources of lead exposure were ascertained by the CDC and New Mexico Department of Health questionnaires. Self-reported
risk factors were examined as predictors of BLLs using multiple linear regression and partial least squares discriminant analysis.
Most patients were Spanish-speaking (88.6%), Latina (95%), foreign-born (87.1%), lacked health insurance (86.4%), and had
a high school education or lower (84.3%). While risk factors were prevalent in this population, only three women (2.1%) had
BLLs ≥3 μg/dL. Results of multivariate analyses demonstrated that pica symptoms in pregnancy, history of elevated BLLs before
pregnancy, use of non-commercial pottery, and living in older houses were important predictors of elevated BLLs. Although
the prevalence of other risk factors relevant to immigrant communities (i.e., use of traditional/folk remedies and cosmetics,
seasonings and food products from Mexico) was high, they were not predictive of elevated BLLs. Clinics providing prenatal
care to immigrant Hispanic communities should carefully assess patients’ pica symptoms, use of non-commercial pottery, and
a history of elevated BLLs. Moreover, additional efforts need to focus on the development of screening questionnaires which
better reflect exposures of concern in this population.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-8
- DOI 10.1007/s10995-012-0963-5
- Authors
- Ludmila N. Bakhireva, Department of Pharmacy Practice and Administrative Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of New Mexico, MSC09 5360, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
- Andrew S. Rowland, Department of Family and Community Medicine, School of Medicine, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
- Bonnie N. Young, Department of Pharmacy Practice and Administrative Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of New Mexico, MSC09 5360, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
- Sandra Cano, Department of Pharmacy Practice and Administrative Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of New Mexico, MSC09 5360, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
- Sharon T. Phelan, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
- Kateryna Artyushkova, Department of Chemical and Nuclear Engineering, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
- William F. Rayburn, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
- Johnnye Lewis, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
- Journal Maternal and Child Health Journal
- Online ISSN 1573-6628
- Print ISSN 1092-7875