Parental risk perceptions of child exposure to thirdhand smoke and related factors

Abstract

Background: Thirdhand smoke (THS) exposure is linked to lung cancer, asthma, and chronic diseases, especially in children. The parental risk perception of THS exposure in children has rarely been reported. The objective of this study was to test the association between sociodemographic factors and parental risk perceptions of child exposure to thirdhand smoke (PRPCETS) in residential homes with a child or children aged from one to five years old. Methods: This study used secondary data from the Smoke Free Home intervention trial. 336 participants were included and analyzed. PRPCETS was assessed by self-administered questionnaire. Multiple logistic regression was used to test the factors related to parental risk perception to the harm of thirdhand smoke. Results: The overall prevalence of disagreement that THS might be harmful to children was 22.02% (95% CI: 17.59%, 26.45%). Factors associated with PRPCETS were being over 50-years-old (OR: 2.15; 95%CI: 1.05, 4.41); attending school for more than six years (OR: 2.08; 95%CI: 1.07, 4.08); being unemployed (OR: 6.98; 95% CI, 1.41, 34.71); and the number of smokers in the home ≥2 persons (OR: 2.48; 95%CI: 1.41, 4.36). Conclusions: Our findings show the factors related to PRPCETS as follows; aged over 50, duration of school attendance less than six years, no job status, and having ≥2 smokers in the home. Further studies should investigate parental knowledge of and attitude towards thirdhand smoke exposure.