Abstract
BackgroundA significant number of parents are unaware or unconvinced of the health consequences of passive smoking (PS) in children. Physicians could increase parental awareness by giving personal advice.AimTo evaluate the current practices of three Dutch health professions (paediatricians, youth health care physicians, and family physicians) regarding parental counselling for passive smoking (PS) in children.MethodsAll physicians (n = 720) representing the three health professions in Limburg, the Netherlands, received an invitation to complete a self-administered electronic questionnaire including questions on their: sex, work experience, personal smoking habits, counselling practices and education regarding PS in children.ResultsThe response rate was 34%. One tenth (11%) of the responding physicians always addressed PS in children, 32% often, 54% occasionally and 4% reported to never attend to it. The three health professions appeared comparable regarding their frequency of parental counselling for PS in children. Addressing PS was more likely when children had respiratory problems. Lack of time was the most frequently mentioned barrier, being very and somewhat applicable for respectively 14% and 43% of the physicians. One fourth of the responders had received postgraduate education about PS. Additionally, 49% of the responders who did not have any education about PS were interested in receiving it.ConclusionsPhysicians working in the paediatric field in Limburg, the Netherlands, could more frequently address PS in children with parents. Lack of time appeared to be the most mentioned barrier and physicians were more likely to counsel parents for PS in children with respiratory complaints/diseases. Finally, a need for more education on parental counselling for PS was expressed.
Highlights
Passive smoke (PS) exposure in children contributes significantly to morbidity and mortality [1]
Physicians working in the paediatric field in Limburg, the Netherlands, could more frequently address passive smoking (PS) in children with parents
The overall response rate was 34%: paediatricians 45%, youth health care physicians (YHCPs) 73%, and family physicians (FPs) 26%. 103 physicians replied to the first invitation, and 74, 37, 27 after the first, second, and third reminder respectively
Summary
Passive smoke (PS) exposure in children contributes significantly to morbidity and mortality [1]. The majority of disability-adjusted life-years because of PS exposure worldwide are due to lower respiratory infections in children younger than five years of age [2]. Other health effects of PS exposure in children include increased risk of higher respiratory infections, wheezing, and asthma [3,4,5]. A study involving 25 European countries by Boldo et al reported rates of PS exposure in children aged below 14 years ranging from 19% in Sweden up to 48% in Austria. A significant number of parents are unaware or unconvinced of the health consequences of passive smoking (PS) in children.
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