A Clinical Preventive Strategy Based on a Digital Tool to Improve Access to Endocrine Disruptors Exposure Prevention: The MEDPREVED Study

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Sep 22;19(19):11993. doi: 10.3390/ijerph191911993.

Abstract

Introduction: The digitalized PREVED (PREgnancy, PreVention, Endocrine Disruptor) questionnaire was used in the clinical practices of health professionals (HP) who adhered to the MEDPREVED strategy. The objectives were to assess the strategy and to determine if it could improve access to endocrine disruptor (ED) exposure prevention. Methods: After having filled in the digital questionnaire in HP waiting rooms, patients were invited to talk about ED exposure during the consultation. HPs were previously trained in ED and had received a prevention kit for their patients. After the seven-month implementation phase, the evaluation phase consisted of five mixed assessments: interviews with: (i) patients who were young children's parents; (ii) patients in the general population; (iii) paediatricians; (iv) midwives; and a quantitative study on GPs. Assessment concerned feasibility, accessibility, and usefulness of the strategy; we then used the Levesque model to evaluate how it could improve access to ED exposure prevention. Results: The study included 69 participants. The strategy appeared feasible for the filling-out step due to digital and environment access. However, it depended on patient and HP profiles. The strategy seemed useful insofar as it facilitated reflexive investment, an intention to healthy behaviour and, rather rarely, talk about ED exposure. The beginning of this discussion depended on time, prioritizing of the topic and HP profile. The strategy has confirmed the Levesque model's limiting factors and levers to access ED prevention. Conclusions: The MEDPREVED strategy is feasible, accessible, and useful in clinical prevention practice. Further study is needed to measure the impact on knowledge, risk perception and behavior of beneficiaries of the MEDPREVED strategy in the medium and long term.

Keywords: clinical prevention; endocrine disruptor; environmental health; general practitioners; health education; health professionals; midwives; paediatricians.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Attitude of Health Personnel
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Endocrine Disruptors*
  • Female
  • Health Personnel
  • Humans
  • Midwifery*
  • Pregnancy
  • Surveys and Questionnaires

Substances

  • Endocrine Disruptors

Grants and funding

This research received no external funding but the original questionnaire PREVED whose development and validation has been funded the “Fondation de France” gantt n°2015 00060744.