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. 2011 Nov;8(11):4207-19.
doi: 10.3390/ijerph8114207. Epub 2011 Nov 9.

Knowledge, attitudes, and behavior in avoiding secondhand smoke exposure among non-smoking employed women with higher education in Jordan

Huda Gharaibeh  1 , Linda Haddad, Sukaina Alzyoud, Omar El-Shahawy, Nesrin Abu Baker, Mary Umlauf
Affiliations

Knowledge, attitudes, and behavior in avoiding secondhand smoke exposure among non-smoking employed women with higher education in Jordan

Huda Gharaibeh et al. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2011 Nov.

Abstract

Secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure is a serious public health threat worldwide; in the developing world there are less serious efforts towards controlling women's and children's exposure to SHS. Knowledge, attitudes and avoidance practices among Jordanian women have never been thoroughly studied. The purpose of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and avoidance behavior towards SHS exposure among employed Jordanian women with higher education.

Methods: A survey was conducted among employed Jordanian women at two universities. A total of 209 women were included in the analysis. Two questionnaires regarding SHS exposure were used to measure knowledge, attitudes and avoidance practices.

Results: Most respondents were regularly exposed to SHS in various locations during daily life, even though they were very knowledgeable about the dangers of SHS exposure for women and children. However, the subject's attitudes and avoidance behavior did not reflect the level of knowledge about SHS risks. The results suggests there is a large discrepancy between SHS exposure, knowledge, attitudes and avoidance behavior among highly educated Jordanian women that is likely influenced by culture and traditional gender roles. Public health initiatives are needed in Jordan to address public policy, institutional practices and to empowerment of women to reduce SHS exposure.

Keywords: Jordan; higher education; secondhand smoke; socioeconomic status; women.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Self-reported sources of consistent daily exposure to SHS (N = 209).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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