Parental Health Risk Perceptions and Preventive Measures on Children’s Exposure to Secondhand Smoke (SHS) of Tobacco Cigarette in Malaysia: A Nationwide Study

Abstract

Background: Secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure can affect physical development in children. An understanding of parental risk perception of SHS aid in developing protectives measures to prevent children from SHS exposure. This study aimed to assess parental risk perceptions of SHS and action taken by parents in minimising their children from exposing to SHS.Methods: This cross-sectional nationwide study conducted in 2018 conveniently recruited 289 parents with children up to age 12 at the public areas. Parents were asked to rate the risk level from 1 (no risk) to 5 (extremely high risk) by looking at the photographs of an adult smoked in the presence of a child in 8 different situations. The implementation of smoking restriction rules was assessed. Mean score was calculated with higher scores represent higher risk of SHS to child’s health. Linear regression analysis was used to determine factors associated with the level of parental risk perception of SHS exposure to the children’s health.Results: A total of 246 parents responded. Their mean age was 35 years old (SD 6.4), majority were mothers (75.6%), Malays (72.0%), had tertiary education level (82.5%), and had a youngest child with mean age of 3 years (SD 3.1). The risk perception level was high [mean scores: 4.11 (SD: 0.82)]. Most parents implemented household (65.0%) and car (68.3%) smoking restriction rules. Negative risk perception level was observed among participants who were fathers with lower occupation class (p=0.005), lived with a smoker (p=0.023), allowed household smoking with open window (p=0.001), being a father and lived with a smoker (p=0.020), and mothers with managerial position while the fathers had a lower occupation class (p=0.038).Conclusion: Most parents perceived that risks of SHS exposure to their children was high but only two-thirds of them had set smoking prohibiting rules. Health policymaker should pay attention to tactors associated with negative risk perceptions among parents.Trial registration: This study is approved by Medical Research Ethics Committee, Ministry of Health Malaysia (Registration Number: NMRR-18-3299-44967).

Parental Perceptions and Behaviors about Children’s Exposure to Secondhand Smoke in Portugal

“…Thus, health education is crucial to reduce children's exposure to tobacco smoke [21]. Health policymakers should consider creating a regular health education program to raise parental awareness and emphasize the importance of practicing strict rules for smoking restriction [13]. For prevention, effective interventions should be promoted and implemented at schools to reduce the prevalence of children exposed to SHS and to increase 100% smoke-free homes and cars.…”

“…Parental awareness may be influenced by individual perceptions and may differ between smokers and non-smokers, leading parents to underestimate the risks associated with children's exposure to SHS [11,12]. Nevertheless, it is crucial for parents to establish rules that disallow anyone including themselves to smoke near children [13]. There are three ways to promote behavior change in general and smoking habits in particular: legislation, information, and health education [14].…”