Table 1.
Characteristics and potential risk factors for lead exposure among children enrolled in the blood lead prevalence study, Puerto Rico, 2010
| Child characteristic | Number (%) (N=439) | Median blood lead level (μg/dL) (N=439) | Geometric mean blood lead level (μg/dL) (95% CI) (N=426,718) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 439 (100) | 1.40 | 1.57 (1.27, 1.88) |
| Data collection month (2010) | |||
| June | 170 (38.7) | 1.58 | 1.60 (1.45, 1.79) |
| July | 91 (20.7) | 1.60 | 1.42 (1.30, 1.54) |
| November | 178 (40.6) | 1.05 | 0.88 (0.64, 1.20) |
| Number of residents | |||
| 2 | 20 (4.6) | 1.55 | 1.75 (1.15, 2.69) |
| 3 | 86 (19.6) | 1.40 | 0.91 (0.58, 1.43) |
| 4 | 121 (27.5) | 1.40 | 1.08 (0.78, 1.51) |
| 5 | 111 (25.2) | 1.38 | 1.25 (1.07, 1.45) |
| >5 | 80 (18.2) | 1.30 | 1.36 (1.11, 1.67) |
| Missing | 21 (4.8) | 1.30 | 1.49 (0.96, 2.32) |
| Number of children <6 years of age sampled in household | |||
| 1 | 355 (80.8) | 1.40 | 1.11 (0.88, 1.39) |
| 2 | 72 (16.4) | 1.40 | 1.42 (1.13, 1.79) |
| 3 | 11 (2.5) | 1.93 | 1.77 (0.88, 3.60) |
| 4 | 1 (0.2) | ----- | ----- |
| Gender | |||
| Male | 234 (53.3) | 1.49 | 1.22 (0.98, 1.51) |
| Female | 198 (45.1) | 1.30 | 1.08 (0.84, 1.40) |
| Missing | 7 (1.6) | 2.10 | 1.52 (0.68, 3.39) |
| Age (months) | |||
| <12 | 8 (1.8) | 1.51 | 2.46 (1.22, 5.00) |
| 12-23 | 98 (22.3) | 1.40 | 1.14 (0.75, 1.72) |
| 24-35 | 86 (19.6) | 1.40 | 1.32 (1.04, 1.67) |
| 36-47 | 76 (17.3) | 1.45 | 1.19 (0.91, 1.54) |
| 48-59 | 81 (18.5) | 1.40 | 1.14 (0.93, 1.39) |
| 60-71 | 83 (18.9) | 1.12 | 0.90 (0.62, 1.34) |
| Missing | 7 (1.6) | 2.10 | 1.52 (0.68, 3.39) |
| Race | |||
| Asian | 1 (0.2) | ----- | ----- |
| Black or African American | 43 (9.8) | 1.85 | 1.86 (1.54, 2.25) |
| White | 161 (36.7) | 1.30 | 1.06 (0.75, 1.51) |
| Multi-racial (more than 1 race) | 213 (48.5) | 1.39 | 1.15 (0.93, 1.42) |
| Other | 1 (0.2) | ----- | ----- |
| Refused | 9 (2.0) | 1.50 | 1.12 (0.83, 1.51) |
| Missing | 11 (2.5) | 1.42 | 1.11 (0.54, 2.27) |
| Child Birth Place | |||
| Puerto Rico | 410 (93.4) | 1.40 | 1.15 (0.92, 1.43) |
| Other | 21 (4.8) | 1.80 | 1.16 (0.78, 1.75) |
| Missing | 8 (1.8) | 1.73 | 1.43 (0.73, 2.77) |
| Child has ever traveled outside of Puerto Rico > 2 weeks? | |||
| Yes | 104 (23.7) | 1.40 | 1.08 (0.82, 1.45) |
| No | 323 (73.6) | 1.38 | 1.16 (0.92, 1.48) |
| Missing | 12 (2.7) | 2.40 | 1.70 (1.16, 2.46) |
| Travel outside of Puerto Rico location (multiple answers allowed): | |||
| U.S. Mainland | 65 (62.5) | 1.40 | 1.05 (0.79, 1.38) |
| Dominican Republic | 13 (12.5) | 1.90 | 1.57 (1.19, 2.10) |
| Central/South America | 2 (1.9) | ----- | ----- |
| Other | 2 (1.9) | ----- | ----- |
| Missing | 32 (30.8) | 1.70 | 1.08 (0.84, 1.39) |
| TOTAL | 104 (100) | ----- | ----- |
| Type of Services Child Currently or Ever Received (respondents could choose > 1 answer) | |||
| Government Medical Insurance (Reforma) | 348 (29.8) | 1.48 | 1.28 (1.06, 1.57) |
| Public Housing | 95 (8.1) | 1.50 | 1.46 (1.38, 1.57) |
| Section 8 Voucher | 36 (3.1) | 1.50 | 0.95 (0.50, 1.82) |
| Food Stamps | 313 (26.8) | 1.40 | 1.27 (1.06, 1.54) |
| Women Infant Children Program (WIC) | 325 (27.8) | 1.40 | 1.27 (1.03, 1.58) |
| Other Form of Public Assistance | 9 (0.8) | 2.31 | 1.23 (0.28, 5.47) |
| None/Missing | 42 (3.6) | 1.00 | 0.76 (0.45, 1.28) |
| TOTAL | 1,168 (100) | ----- | ----- |
| Previous Blood Lead Test (parent/guardian reported) | |||
| Yes | 125 (28.5) | 1.55 | 1.34 (1.03, 1.73) |
| No | 304 (69.2) | 1.30 | 1.08 (0.84, 1.40) |
| Missing | 10 (2.3) | 1.73 | 1.72 (1.02, 2.89) |
| Asthma (told by a health care provider) | |||
| Yes | 117 (26.6) | 1.33 | 1.12 (0.85, 1.46) |
| No | 309 (70.4) | 1.40 | 1.15 (0.93, 1.42) |
| Don't Know | 2 (0.5) | ----- | ----- |
| Missing | 11 (2.5) | 1.80 | 1.77 (1.17, 2.69) |
| Asthma symptoms such as shortness of breath, coughing, or wheezing | |||
| Yes | 169 (38.5) | 1.40 | 1.19 (0.93, 1.52) |
| No | 261 (59.4) | 1.39 | 1.14 (0.91, 1.42) |
| Missing | 9 (0.8) | 2.10 | 1.20 (0.86, 1.67) |
| Up-to-date vaccinations (parent/guardian reported) | |||
| Yes | 391 (89.1) | 1.40 | 1.16 (0.94, 1.43) |
| No | 27 (6.2) | 1.90 | 0.95 (0.41, 2.18) |
| Missing | 21 (4.8) | 1.20 | 1.31 (0.88, 1.95) |
| Child spends > 20 hours/week anywhere other than household | |||
| Yes | 165 (37.6) | 1.20 | 1.01 (0.73, 1.39) |
| No | 267 (60.8) | 1.48 | 1.30 (1.12, 1.51) |
| Missing | 7 (1.6) | 2.10 | 1.52 (0.68, 3.39) |
| Potential Child Exposures | |||
| Use of household remedies, herbal remedies or folk medicines (e.g., Azarcon and Greta) | |||
| Yes | 53 (12.1) | 1.76 | 1.20 (0.90, 1.60) |
| No | 375 (85.4) | 1.40 | 1.15 (0.92, 1.43) |
| Missing | 11 (2.5) | 1.36 | 1.36 (0.84, 2.23) |
| Observation of child eating or mouthing non-food items | |||
| Yes | 301 (68.6) | 1.37 | 1.20 (0.95, 1.51) |
| No | 127 (28.9) | 1.40 | 1.06 (0.79, 1.42) |
| Missing | 11 (2.5) | 1.36 | 1.28 (0.70, 2.39) |
| Child washes hands before eating | |||
| Yes, often | 279 (63.6) | 1.40 | 1.11 (0.89, 1.39) |
| Yes, sometimes | 105 (23.9) | 1.40 | 1.21 (0.90, 1.63) |
| Rarely | 31 (7.1) | 1.02 | 1.12 (0.88, 1.43) |
| No, never | 7 (1.6) | 1.40 | 1.68 (1.11, 2.59) |
| Missing | 17 (3.9) | 1.40 | 1.72 (1.22, 2.44) |