Abstract
The goal of this cross-sectional survey was to assess the level of knowledge on harmful effects of environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure and active smoking among socially-disadvantaged people in Poland. The study was conducted among 1817 respondents aged 18–59 years, who used aid services from local social care institutions in Piotrkowski district. Majority of the participants were aware of the fact that smoking may cause serious diseases and lung cancer (92%). However, those percentages were lower for awareness of ETS and health risk (69.4%) and for awareness of smoking/ETS-associated risk of stroke and heart attack (57%, 68%). The male respondents and smokers had much higher odds of lacking knowledge that smoking causes serious diseases and lung cancer compared to the females (OR = 1.47 and OR = 1.86; p < 0.05) and non-smokers (OR = 2.35 and OR = 2.31; p < 0.001). In addition, those with temporary jobs and the unemployed had a higher risk of lack of knowledge on smoking and lung cancer risk (OR = 2.14 and OR = 1.66; p < 0.05) as well as ETS and the risk of stroke (OR = 1.52 and OR = 1.51; p < 0.05) as compared to those with permanent jobs. The smokers who were aware of four health consequences of smoking indicated an intention to quit smoking within the next month more frequently when compared to those who did not have the knowledge on all of the analyzed harmful effects of tobacco use (19.7% vs. 13.1%; p < 0.05). There is a need to improve knowledge on the dangers associated with active and passive smoking among socially disadvantaged populations.
Highlights
Socio-economic status (SES) is significantly associated with a smoking status and with the smoking related morbidity and mortality [1]
Detailed characteristics of the methodology of the study have been published elsewhere [17,18,19]. This cross-sectional survey was performed between October 2015 and February 2016 among people aged 18–59 years, who resided in Piotrkowski district and used aid services offered by the local welfare assistance institutions
That percentage was lower for awareness of environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure and health risk (69.4%)
Summary
Socio-economic status (SES) is significantly associated with a smoking status and with the smoking related morbidity and mortality [1]. The rate of progress for smoking prevalence reduction has not been consistent across geographies/development status and within the countries between the groups with different SES. This indicates, as enunciated by the recent trends, that the drive to maintain the past rates of decline must not be considered obvious. Higher smoking prevalence and related health risks among socially disadvantaged groups are associated with an earlier smoking onset, heaviness of smoking and less successful quitting attempts as compared to the groups enjoying better life situations [2,3,4,5]. Public Health 2018, 15, 2244; doi:10.3390/ijerph15102244 www.mdpi.com/journal/ijerph
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