Effect of Environmental Tobacco Smoke on Children’s Anxiety and Behavior in Dental Clinics, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) has been linked to behavioral problems, but no study has assessed its relationship with dental anxiety. Therefore, this study’s goal is to assess the relation between ETS and both behavioral problems and dental anxiety among children. Methods: The study sample was collected from two centres in Jeddah from October 2019 to January 2020. Inclusion criteria included healthy 5–16-year-old children having their first dental visit with no emergency complaint. The questionnaire including general information, ETS exposure, the child’s anxiety using the Abeer Children Dental Anxiety Scale (ACDAS) and dental behavior using the Frankl Behavioral Rating Scale. Results: Of 500 children, 337 (67.4% response rate) responded to the questionnaire, among whom 201 (59.6%) had been exposed to passive smoking compared to 136 (40.4%) who had not. Exposed children had a statistically significantly greater tendency to develop anxiety (p = 0.002) and demonstrate uncooperative behavior (p = 0.006). Generalized linear mode and binary regression analyses suggested that ETS has a statistically significant effect on children’s dental anxiety and behavior (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Children exposed to ETS demonstrated statistically significantly higher anxiety levels and uncooperative behavior in the dental clinic compared to those who were not exposed.

Parental tobacco and indoor secondhand smoking exposure and the risk of offspring under‐five mortality in low‐ and middle‐income countries

“…Our findings highlight the significance of reinforcing tobacco control in LMICs, where tobacco companies are gradually expanding their markets to LMICs 9 . Accumulating evidence has shown that parental smoking or SHS exposure is associated with adverse health outcomes in children 23–25 . Therefore, the health departments in LMIC ought to integrate tobacco control practices with other child health promotion policies.…”

“…Accumulating evidence has shown that parental smoking or SHS exposure is associated with adverse health outcomes in children. [23][24][25] Therefore, the health departments in LMIC ought to integrate tobacco control practices with other child health promotion policies. Children are regarded as the core of SDGs, and reducing tobacco use would play a crucial part in global efforts to achieve the SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being) 26 .…”

Burden and risk factors of anxiety disorders among Arabic pediatric population: A systematic review

“…These findings revealed that students need to avoid using electronic devices to escape from the issue of anxiety [27]. The authors in [28] used ACDAS and FBRS and explored the relationship between environmental tobacco exposure and anxiety among 500 children aged 15 to one year [28]. The authors found a significant association between childhood environmental tobacco disclosure and anxiety among children with a p-value of 0.002 [28].…”

“…The authors in [28] used ACDAS and FBRS and explored the relationship between environmental tobacco exposure and anxiety among 500 children aged 15 to one year [28]. The authors found a significant association between childhood environmental tobacco disclosure and anxiety among children with a p-value of 0.002 [28]. In contrast, a study conducted in Qatar [29] demonstrated a low prevalence of anxiety among children with autism and they did not find any significant differences (p-value≥0.05) between children (n=250) with and without autism.…”