Secondhand tobacco smoke exposure of infants at home: A population based cross-sectional study

Abstract

IntroductionSecondhand smoke exposure is one of the important public health problems especially infants and children. The aim of this study was to assess prevalence and social predictors of secondhand smoke exposure of newborns and infants in household. MethodsA cross sectional study conducted with a sample of 763 infants from 1 June to 31 August 2012 in Burdur. A questionnaire developed by was used for this study. It includes questions about socio- and bio-demographic features of participants and smoking related data by self reports of participants. Second hand smoke exposure of infants was considered as smoking someone at least one day per a week in the house. ResultsSecondhand smoke exposure prevalence of infants was 64% in Burdur. It was found that five factors including mothers' education level, family type, mothers' smoking status, infants' age and fathers' smoking status were related with infants’ second hand smoke exposure. ConclusionThe rate of secondhand smoke exposure of infants at home is very high. The most important factor affecting second hand smoke exposure was parents'; especially fathers’ smoking status. Therefore parents should be encouraged to quit smoking.