The role of childhood asthma in altering parental smoking behavior

Abstract

Rationale To determine if a diagnosis of asthma in children altered parental smoking behavior towards a reduction in environmental tobacco smoke exposure. Methods In 2002/03, a survey was sent to 12556 households of children born in 1995 in Manitoba, Canada. Parents were asked whether their 7-year-old child had asthma, and whether smokers were present in the home in 1995 and/or currently. The likelihood (odds ratio, OR) of a change in parental smoking behavior was determined according to the presence of asthma in their child, a family history of asthma, location of residence (rural/urban) and socioeconomic status. Results 3564 (28.4%) of the surveys were returned. The overall prevalence of parental smoking in 1995 and 2002/03 was 32.2% and 23.4% respectively (31.9%/23.4% and 32.3%/23.5% in rural and urban environments respectively). Parents were not more likely to quit smoking (OR=1.01, 95%CI=0.66-1.54) or smoke outside (OR=1.02, 95%CI=0.56–1.83) if their child developed asthma. Parental behavior (quit smoking or smoked outside) did not change if there was a positive family history of asthma (OR=1.06, 95%CI=0.80–1.40), if they lived in a rural or urban location (OR=0.93, 95%CI=0.71–1.23) or if they were from a low or high income household (OR=1.11, 95%CI=0.84–1.46). Conclusions The likelihood of altering parental smoking behaviour occurred independently of the diagnosis of asthma in their child, a family history of asthma, location of residence, or socioeconomic status.