Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #108746

James Kyung Jo, DrPH¹, Edward K. Fujimoto, DrPH, MPH, CHES², Jerry W. Lee, PhD³, and Ernie Medina, DrPH². (1) School of Public Health, Loma Linda University, Anderson St, Loma Linda, CA 92354, (2) Preventive Care Program, Loma Linda University School of Public Health, Nichol Hall 1506, Loma Linda, CA 92350, 909-5584575, efujimoto@sph.llu.edu, (3) Dept. of Health Promotion and Education, Loma Linda University School of Public Health, Nicol Hall Room 1511, Loma Linda, CA 92350

Secondhand smoke has been shown to have adverse health effects on young children. Because of the dangers secondhand smoke poses to young children, there is a need for educating parents about the dangers of secondhand smoke as well as determining factors associated with secondhand smoke exposure among children. The study examined correlates of in-home smoking behavior of parents with newborns by analyzing 657 respondents who filled out the New Mom Secondhand Smoke Surveys collected at the Riverside County Tobacco Free Families Program. Total of 9.7% of all respondents reported someone smoking in their house. Smoking inside the house was significantly associated with having both mother and father as smokers (odds ratio: 4.16; 95% CI: 1.34-12.88) as compared to having fathers as sole smokers. Mothers who believed that secondhand smoke was very dangerous for their baby's health were less likely to report that someone smoked inside the house (odds ratio: .163; 95% CI: .048-.551) as compared to those who believed it was somewhat or not very dangerous. Hispanic ethnicity had a weak negative association with smoking inside the house (odds ratio: .473; 95% CI: 0.22, 1.02). The results of the study indicate that it may be important to target households where both mother and father smoke and educate them on the dangers of secondhand smoke. Furthermore, when attempting to educate young couples with newborns to reduce/eliminate secondhand smoke exposure, it may be important to incorporate a message on negative health consequences of secondhand smoke on their baby.

Learning Objectives:

• List three correlates of in-home smoking behavior of parents with young children.
• Identify children who are at risk for secondhand smoke exposure from their parents.
• Discuss ways to reduce/eliminate secondhand smoke exposure for young children.

Keywords: Smoking, Children's Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.