United States prevalence of pediatric asthma by environmental tobacco smoke exposure, 2016–2017. (3rd April 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Xie, Luyu; Atem, Folefac; Gelfand, Andrew; Bauer, Cici; Messiah, Sarah E.
• Is Part Of: Journal of asthma. Volume 58:Number 4(2021)
• Page Start: 430
• Page End: 437
• Publication Date: 2021-04-03
• Subjects: Pediatric -- asthma prevalence -- ETS; Asthma -- Periodicals; 616.238005
• DOI: 10.1080/02770903.2019.1709868
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0277-0903

Abstract

Abstract: Objectives: We sought to update the prevalence estimates of parent-reported asthma diagnosis by Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS) exposure in the United States (US) pediatric population. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 71, 811 families with children who participated in the 2016–2017 National Survey of Children's Health (NSCH). Weighted asthma prevalence estimates were calculated for ETS-exposed and non-exposed children. Chi-square analysis compared asthma prevalence between the two exposure groups and logistic regression analysis generated adjusted odds ratios (aORs) of asthma diagnosis by ETS exposure by sex, race/ethnicity, and household education and income level. Results: Asthma prevalence estimates were significantly higher in ETS-exposed vs. non-exposed children (10.7% vs. 7.8%, p < 0.001). Children with a smoker in the house are 30% more likely to have an asthma diagnosis vs. children with no smokers in the house (aOR 1.29, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] 1.09–1.52). Significant predictors for ETS exposure included < high school education and lower family income. Conversely, non-Hispanic black and Hispanic children were less likely to have ETS exposure vs. non-Hispanic white children. Conclusions: ETS exposure is a significant risk factor for asthma in the US pediatric population. Smoking cessation initiatives targeting non-Hispanic white parents from lower socioeconomic may improve children's chronic pulmonary health risk.