Impact of Poison Prevention Education on the Knowledge and Behaviors of Seniors - Theory-Driven Education Findings

Oct 15, 2026

Unintentional poisoning remains a major public health problem for seniors, yet limited empirical evidence has evaluated the effectiveness of poison prevention education for this group. This study assessed a poison education program’s impact on seniors’ knowledge, perceptions, intentions, and behaviors in Missouri and West Virginia. Using pre- and post-test surveys and follow-up re-interviews after four weeks, results showed improved knowledge and effects on both behavioral intentions and actual behaviors, supporting brief, theory-based interventions for reducing incidents.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages8

Reading Time20 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Background

Purpose

Methods

Results

Discussion

Translation to Health Education Practice

Background

Research Article impact of poison prevention education on the Knowledge and Behaviors of seniors Paul R. Jones, Monique A. Sheppard, Cecelia B. Snowden, TedR. Miller, Valerie S. Nelkin, Denise D. Nguyen, Ivy Tominack, and Hallie Chillag Dunlap ABSTRACT Background: Unintentional poisoning is an important public health issue that exacts a heavy toll on our nation’s seniors. However, relatively few empirical studies have examined the efficacy of poison prevention education programson this cohort. Purpose: This study assessed the impact of a poison education program on the knowledge, perceptions, intentions, and behaviors of seniors in Missouri and West Virginia. Methods: One-hundred and twenty-seven seniors completed pre-and post-test surveys, which were designed to assess the program’s efficacy. Participants were re-interviewed after four weeks to determine whether they had implemented the behaviors described in the program. Results: The results revealed that the program improved the knowledge of participants and impacted both their behavioral intentions and actual behaviors. Discussion: When taken together, these data indicate that brief educational interventions may be an effective tool in reducing the incidence of unintentional poisonings among seniors. Translation to Health Education Practice: More generally, these methods and findings suggest that single sessions of theory-driven health education can be effective for interventions among seniors. Jones PR, Sheppard MA, Snowden CB, Miller TR, Nelkin VS, Nguyen DD et al. Impact of poison prevention education on the knowledge and behaviors of seniors. Am J Health Educ. 2010;41(2):139-146. This paper was submitted to the Journal on June 30, 2009, revised and accepted for publication on September 21, 2009. BACKGrounD Unintentional poisoning is an important public health issue that exacts a heavy physical, emotional and economic toll on our nation. On average, unintentional poisonings and those of an undetermined intent claim the lives of over 20,000 people per year.1 Poisoning-related fatalities resulting from acute unintentional and undetermined poisonings cost over $180 billion including medical ($549 million), work loss ($57 .6 billion) and quality of life ($122 billion) costs annually (inflated to 2005 dollars) .2 Poisoning is particularly problematic among our nation’s senior population. For instance, Rogers and Heard3 found that seniors (aged ≥ 60) were at an increased risk of death from poisoning exposures when compared to young adults, even after controlling for factors such as sex and exposure duration. Moreover, unintentional poisonings ranked sixth of 19 as a cause of unintentional Paul R. Jones is a research scientist at the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation, Calverton, MD 20705; [Email: jones@pire.org. Monique A](Email: jones@pire.org. Monique A). Sheppard is a senior program director at the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation in Calverton, MD 20705. Cecelia B. Snowden is a research scientist at the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation in Calverton, MD 20705. TedR. Miller is a center director atthe Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation in Calverton, injury-related death among people aged 65 and older, with more than 900 fatalities attributed to this mechanism.1 The total cost of unintentional poisoning fatalities among this age group has been estimated to MD 20705. Valerie S. Nelkin is senior program director at the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation in Calverton, MD 20705. Denise D. Nguyen is a health education consultant at the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation in Calverton, MD 20705. Ivy Tominack, is a health educator atthe Missouri Regional Poison Center, St. Louis, Missouri 63117. Hallie Chillag Dunlapis health educator at the West Virginia Poison Center, in Charleston, WV 25304. Paul R. Jones, Monique A. Sheppard, Cecelia B. Snowden, Ted R. Miller, Valerie S. Nelkin, et a

FAQs

What problem does the study address for seniors?

Unintentional poisoning is described as a significant public health issue affecting seniors through physical, emotional, and economic tolls.

How was the education program evaluated?

One-hundred and twenty-seven seniors completed pre- and post-test surveys, and participants were re-interviewed after four weeks to assess whether program-described behaviors were adopted.

What were the key outcomes of the poison prevention education?

The program improved participants’ knowledge and influenced both behavioral intentions and actual behaviors, indicating that brief educational interventions may reduce unintentional poisoning incidents among seniors.

Oct 15, 2026

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