Thi̇rdhand Smoke: Are Parents Aware of İt?

Abstract

Abstract PURPOSEThis study aims to understand the beliefs about thirdhand smoke among parents or grandparents of children in Northern Turkey and to provide an evidence base to incorporate thirdhand smoke preventative action into tobacco control interventions.METHODSThis cross-sectional study were collected through face-to-face interviews in a tertiary training hospital. Total of 1016 parents make assessments on the 'beliefs about thirdhand smoke' (BATHS) scale. Sociodemographic details including age, gender, education level, smoking status, personal income, exposure in the home, car or outside, type of home ownership and awareness of the term third-hand smoke were investigated. Scale assessment, univariate and multivariate analyses to explore the factors influencing the BATHS scale and awareness of the term third-hand smoke, were performed using SPSS version 22.0.RESULTSParticipants who were grandparents,non smokers, higher incomes, those who have heard the term third-hand smoke and higher education levels were more likely to get higher scores on the BATHS scale (p<0.001). The level of awareness is 8.7%. Awareness of the term third-hand smoke was associated with education (OR=18.835;95% CI:5.205- 68.186, p<0.001), living own home (OR=2,667;95% CI:1.377-5.181, p=0.004). Smoking status, exposure in the home,car and ouside get higher BATHS score (p<0.001) but not significant with awereness (p>0.05).CONCLUSIONSThirdhand smoke harm belief was associated with education, enforced smoke-free home and car and attempts to quit smoking. Sensitizing parents to thirdhand smoke risk could guide targeted actions for smoke-free home interventions