Exposure to second hand smoke: a survey of pregnant women visiting selected tertiary care hospitals of Peshawar

Authors

  • Momal Fatima House Officer, Nishtar Hospital, Multan, Punjab, Pakistan
  • Khadija Nowaira Abdullah Assistant Professor Department of Community Medicine, Rehman Medical College, Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
  • Momina Rahman House Officer, Kuwait Teaching Hospital, Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
  • Parivash Bangash House Officer, Kuwait Teaching Hospital, Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
  • Mashal Rasheed House Officer, Kuwait Teaching Hospital, Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
  • Nayab Shabir House Officer, Kuwait Teaching Hospital, Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
  • Neelofer Nishad House Officer, Kuwait Teaching Hospital, Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Keywords:

Tobacco Smoke Pollution, Smoking, Pregnant Women, Awareness, Congenital Anomalies

Abstract

Introduction: Second hand smoke (SHS) is reported to cause 890,000 deaths per year worldwide. It is also a known cause of serious complications in pregnancy. The current study intends to fill in some of the knowledge gap for further research & effective public health interventions.

Objectives: To estimate the frequency of SHS and assess awareness about it among pregnant women visiting tertiary care hospitals of Peshawar.

Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at four tertiary care hospitals of Peshawar from 1st January to 1st March, 2018. Non-probability serial sample of 410 pregnant women was taken. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Data were analysed using SPSS version 22.

Results: The mean age of 410 pregnant women was 21 ± 4.0 years; 149(36.3%) of the subjects were exposed to SHS, highest frequency (49%) being in age group 26-35 years. Exposure to SHS was highest (39%) among illiterate ladies. Most (92%) of the subjects were exposed to SHS at home, the main source being their husbands (45.8%); 40.7% of the subjects were aware of adverse effects of SHS on the fetus, younger (p= 0.01) & more educated women (p<0.001) being more likely to be aware.

Conclusion: Exposure to SHS among pregnant women is a public health concern in Peshawar. It is more likely among younger & less educated women as well as among housewives. Majority of the pregnant women are unaware of the hazards of SHS while younger and educated women are more frequently aware about these.

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Published

2019-01-16