The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #71626

Yu-Mei Schoenberger, MPH¹, Connie L. Kohler, DrPH², Kai Stewart, MPH³, Naomi Goldberger, BA³, Najood Azar, MSN³, Roni Grad, MD⁴, Nalini Sathiakumar, DrPH⁵, and Anne Turner-Henson, RN, DSN⁶. (1) Department of Health Behavior, University of Alabama at Birmingham, RPHB #227, 1665 University Boulevard, Birmingham, AL 35294-0022, 205 934 6020, yschoenb@bmu.dopm.uab.edu, (2) Department of Health Behavior School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, RPHB 227, 1530 3rd Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35294-0022, (3) Center for Nursing Research, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1530 3rd Avenue South, NB 010P, Birmingham, AL 35294-1210, (4) Department of Pediatric Pulmonary, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1530 3rd Ave South, Birmingham, AL 35294, (5) School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1665 University Blvd, Ryals 523D, Birmingham, AL 35294, (6) School of Nursing, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1530 3rd Ave South, Birmingham, AL 35294

Introduction: Secondhand smoke exposure is the primary cause of respiratory irritant for children. This study reports a survey of secondhand exposure among preschool children enrolled in the Head Start Program and their primary caregivers. The purpose of this study is to characterize secondhand smoke exposure and its relationship to children’s respiratory symptoms. Methods: Data collection occurred from December 2002 to February 2003 at four Head Start Centers in Birmingham, Alabama. Primary caregivers were interviewed to determine secondhand smoke exposure in households, maternal smoking status, and children’s respiratory conditions and symptoms. Children’s secondhand smoke exposure by biomarkers (urinary cotinine) is being completed. The sample consisted of 172 Head Start children (average age 4 yrs, >90% African American) and 172 primary caregivers (primarily mothers). Descriptive statistics was utilized to analyze the data. Results: By primary caregiver report, approximately 31% of the children had secondhand smoke exposure in their household, whereas only 9% had maternal exposure. Thirty percent of the children have been diagnosed with asthma, and 49% have reported asthma symptoms, which include current wheezing that occurred nocturnally or early morning and activity limitation, by their primary caregiver. Conclusions: The results indicate a critical need for secondhand smoke reduction interventions in this high-risk population. While maternal smoking is a primary source of secondhand smoke for preschool children, other sources in primary and secondary households could potentially contribute to children’s secondhand smoke exposures.

Learning Objectives:

• At the conclusion of the session, the participant in this session will be able to characterize secondhand smoke exposure in a high risk populations of preschool children.
• In addition, the participant will be able to describe the household characteristics of children’s secondhand smoke exposure.
• Lastly, the participant will be able to examine the relationship between secondhand smoke exposure and children’s respiratory symptoms.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.