Predictors of Secondhand Smoke Exposure During Pregnancy in Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, and Honduras. Issue 6 (27th January 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Quiñones, Zahira; Li, Dongmei; McIntosh, Scott; Avendaño, Esteban; Sánchez, José Javier; DiMare-Hering, Carmen; Flores-Golfin, Daniel; Wang, Sijiu; Pérez-Ramos, José G; Dye, Timothy D V; Ossip, Deborah J
• Is Part Of: Nicotine & tobacco research. Volume 24:Issue 6(2022)
• Page Start: 909
• Page End: 913
• Publication Date: 2022-01-27
• Subjects: Nicotine -- Periodicals; Tobacco -- Research -- Periodicals; Tobacco habit -- Periodicals; Nicotine -- Periodicals; Tobacco -- Periodicals; Smoking -- Periodicals; 613.85
• DOI: 10.1093/ntr/ntac011
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1462-2203

Abstract

Abstract: Introduction: Secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure poses risks to pregnant women and children. Though smoking among pregnant women in many low- and middle-income countries is low, exposure to SHS might be higher. We examined the prevalence and predictors of SHS among pregnant women from Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, and Honduras. Methods: Postpartum women 18+ years old who completed pregnancy in past 5 years were surveyed in health care and community settings. Results: Data for 1, 081 women indicated low tobacco use (1.0%–3.7%), frequent exposure to active smokers (29.0%–34.0%), often being close enough to breathe others' smoke (49.4%–66.5%), and most having smoke-free home policies (70.8%–76.2%). Women reporting unintended pregnancy (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 1.44, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.03, 2.00) and alcohol consumption (aOR: 1.92, 95% CI 1.34, 2.77) were more likely to be close enough to breathe others' smoke. Women with health problems during pregnancy (aOR: 1.48 95% CI 1.07, 2.06) were more likely to have home smoking policies. Tobacco use was associated with all SHS exposure outcomes. Conclusions: SHS exposure was high during pregnancy; women with higher risk variables, that is, tobacco use, alcohol consumption, and unintended pregnancy were more likely to be exposed. Addressing SHS exposure in pregnancy in low- and middle-income countries can improve maternal health outcomes in vulnerable populations. Implications: The study results suggest a cluster of multiple risk factors associated with a high prevalence of exposure to SHS among pregnant women in LIMCs from Latin America and Caribbean Region. Interventions, regulations, and policies need to address specific high-risk factors to change behaviors and improve maternal and child health outcomes especially in vulnerable populations.