Tobacco Use and Exposure to Environmental Tobacco Smoke amongst Pregnant Women in the United Arab Emirates: The Mutaba’ah Study

Abstract

Self-reported tobacco use is high in the male adult Emirati population (males ~36% vs. females ~3%); however, there are minimal data on tobacco use or exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) during pregnancy in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This study investigated the prevalence of, and factors associated with, tobacco use and exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) amongst pregnant women in the UAE. Baseline cross-sectional data were analysed from the Mutaba’ah Study. Expectant mothers completed a self-administered questionnaire collecting sociodemographic information, maternal tobacco use, and ETS exposure during antenatal visits at three hospitals in Al Ain (UAE; May 2017–February 2021). Amongst 8586 women included in the study, self-reported tobacco use during pregnancy was low (0.7%), paternal tobacco use was high (37.9%), and a third (34.8%) of expectant mothers were exposed to ETS (28.0% at home only). Pregnant women who were employed (adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 1.35, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.19–1.52), with childbirth anxiety (aOR 1.21, 95% CI 1.08–1.36), and with an increased number of adults living in the same household (aOR 1.02 95% CI 1.01–1.03) were independently more likely to be exposed to ETS. Pregnant women with higher education levels (aOR 0.84, 95% CI 0.75–0.94) and higher gravidity (aOR 0.95, 95% CI 0.92–0.99) were less likely to be exposed to ETS. Public health efforts targeting smoking cessation amongst husbands and promoting smoke-free homes are warranted to help reduce prenatal ETS exposure in the UAE.

Tobacco use and secondhand smoking among pregnant women in Al-Madinah, Saudi Arabia

“…The overall prevalence of active smoking during pregnancy reached as high as 9.2%, which is higher compared to studies carried out in other countries. A study in the Emirates found that the frequency of maternal smoking was as low as 0.7% (Taha et al, 2022). According to a study in Costa Rica, the rate of smoking among pregnant women was 2.7% (Quiñones et al, 2022).…”

“…In our study, we found that having an educational level of elementary school or lower carried lower odds of being exposed to smoke. A possible explanation for this may be that most other studies took into consideration the educational levels of both spouses (Taha et al, 2022).…”

“…Other factors reported were ignorance, low family status and lack of awareness among pregnant women to demand a smokefree environment at home (Sharma and Khapre, 2021;Qutob et al, 2022). In a recent Emirates study of 8,586 pregnant women, the smoking prevalence was 0.7%, while 34.8% were exposed to SHS (Taha et al, 2022). High-level educated pregnant women and those with higher gravidity were unlikely to be exposed to SHS (Taha et al, 2022).…”

“…In a recent Emirates study of 8,586 pregnant women, the smoking prevalence was 0.7%, while 34.8% were exposed to SHS (Taha et al, 2022). High-level educated pregnant women and those with higher gravidity were unlikely to be exposed to SHS (Taha et al, 2022). There are a limited number of published studies assessing the prevalence and risk factors of active and passive smoking during pregnancy in Saudi Arabia and some studies are outdated.…”