Identification of Urine Cotinine in Secondhand Smoke and its Association with Socio-Environmental

Abstract

Background: Exposure to cigarette smoke not only affects active smokers but also endangers passive smokers, leading to various health problems. However, research on passive smokers is still very limited, particularly regarding the relationship with socio-environmental factors. Cotinine is the primary metabolite of nicotine consumption and can serve as a biomarker for tobacco use and its derivatives; moreover, its presence is associated with poor health risks. Socio-environmental conditions are influential factors in smoking behavior, but the relationship between these factors and cotinine identification in passive smokers has not been fully studied. This study aimed to identify cotinine in passive smokers and their relationship with socio-environmental conditions. Methods: This study utilized an analytical survey with a cross-sectional approach. The sample size consisted of 53 passive smokers who had never actively smoked and were over 15 years old. Urine cotinine was identified using a competitive immunochromatography method, and profile of passive smokers was obtained through questionnaires. The collected data were then statistically analyzed. Results: The results showed that 36 samples tested positive for cotinine (67.90%), with the majority being females (28 individuals; 77.80%). Statistical tests indicated a significant relationship between urine cotinine identification and exposure location (p<0.001) and exposure frequency (p<0.001). In contrast, factors such as sex (p=0.570) and occupation (p=0.861) did not show a significant relationship with the identification of cotinine in passive smoker’s urine. Conclusion: Factors such as exposure location and exposure frequency are related to cotinine identification, whereas sex and occupation are not related to cotinine identification in passive smoker’s urine.