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Abstract
Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer (National Research Council, 1998). The purpose of this preliminary study is to determine the effectiveness of a radon informational publication in increasing knowledge, changing attitudes about radon, and developing intentions to take action. Female homeowners in a Midwestern university community participated in a study to determine their existing knowledge level about radon, and their willingness to test their homes for radon, before and after reading the radon publication. The data were collected at Family and Community Education group meetings. The 49 participants completed a pre-test questionnaire, reading the publication, and completed the same questionnaire as a post-test. Pre- and post-test responses were compared to determine if the publication had an impact on the level of knowledge, attitude change and the willingness to test their homes. The results of this study indicate that the publication content increased the level of knowledge and willingness to test homes for radon. This study suggests that the publication selected for the study, and widely used in Cooperative Extension and in other public information programs, can change knowledge and attitudes. More studies on the impact of widely used educational publications are needed to discover if they change knowledge, attitudes, intentions, and behavior.
Additional information
Notes on contributors
Shirley Niemeyer
Shirley Niemeyer is a professor and Brenda Keller is a senior honors student in the Department of Textiles, Clothing and Design at the University of Nebraska.
Brenda Keller
Shirley Niemeyer is a professor and Brenda Keller is a senior honors student in the Department of Textiles, Clothing and Design at the University of Nebraska.