The Cryptosporidium Risk: What People Know, and What They Need to Know. F. Wu, Carnegie Mellon University
Cryptosporidium is among the most prominent problems in United States drinking water today, with significant new initiatives and regulations aimed at limiting the risk of cryptosporidiosis. These regulations include requirements to communicate Cryptosporidium risk to the public, so that consumers can make better-informed choices about their water. To communicate in an effective way, institutions must first understand the public’s knowledge, misconceptions, attitudes, and potential actions regarding the risk. This study employs the mental models strategy to determine laypeople’s current understanding of the Cryptosporidium problem. People’s knowledge, misconceptions, and attitudes regarding their drinking water were analyzed. Education level and health status (HIV+ or not) are found to affect significantly respondents’ understanding of drinking water quality and risks. Also, reading particular brochures on Cryptosporidium significantly increased respondents’ short-term understanding of risk prevention, though the brochures showed different levels of effectiveness. These findings are analyzed in terms of their implications for water utilities and public health agencies charged with communicating Cryptosporidium risk to the public.
EPA STAR (Science to Achieve Results) Fellowship.
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