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. 2018 Jul 2;15(7):1384.
doi: 10.3390/ijerph15071384.

A Cross-Sectional Study of Smoking Behaviors and Attitudes of Parents in Pediatric Primary Care Settings

Aleksandra Ratajczak  1 , Karol Ratajczak  2 , Wojciech Feleszko  3
Affiliations

A Cross-Sectional Study of Smoking Behaviors and Attitudes of Parents in Pediatric Primary Care Settings

Aleksandra Ratajczak et al. Int J Environ Res Public Health. .

Abstract

Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure is considered an important public health issue in pediatric population. In this study, we aimed to investigate parents' knowledge on side effects of passive smoking and counseling for parental smoking among pediatricians and family practitioners. Participants were biological parents of pediatric patients up to the age of 18 years old who attended Pediatric Hospital of Medical University of Warsaw. The questionnaire included 28 questions and queries on environmental tobacco smoke in children's environment. Medical students identified potential subjects and handed out previously created questionnaires. In total, 506 parents of children aged 0⁻18 years old were interviewed; 41% (207/506) of parents were smokers, 23% (114/506) were asked about ETS exposure by their pediatricians and 41% (205/506) by family physicians during routine visits. Only a minority of the respondents confirmed having "no smoking" policy in their car 31% (157/506) or in their households 24% (121/506). All parents believed that passive smoking could cause at least one harmful effect: most common were more frequent respiratory infections (43%), asthma (40%), and low birth weight (37%). Among smoking parents, 38% (78/207) has tried to quit smoking for their child's health sake; 63% (131/207) of smokers have never been asked to quit smoking by their doctor. Parents' understanding of passive smoking among children differs from current medical knowledge. Rates of screening and counseling for parental smoking in pediatric and family practices are still unsatisfactory.

Keywords: ETS; children; environmental tobacco smoke exposure; family doctor; parent; pediatrics; smoking; smoking cessation; tobacco; tobacco control.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure A1
Figure A1
Questionnaire for parents regarding cigarette smoking and SHS exposure among their children.
Figure 1
Figure 1
Screening and counseling for parental smoking in primary health care settings.
Figure 2
Figure 2
No smoking policy in child’s environment: (a) in the house; (b) in the car.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Negative health effects of SHS exposure among children-parental beliefs.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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