Affecting Factors of Secondhand Smoke Exposure in Korea: Focused on Different Exposure Locations

Comparison of secondhand smoking exposure between self-report and creatinine-corrected urine cotinine: Result from Korean NHANES 2009-2018

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

Second-hand smoking (SHS) is usually examined by self-report (SR). However, there is a possibility that SR may not accurately measure SHS exposure. This study aimed to identify yearly trends and gender differences in SHS by SR and cotinine.

METHODS

We used data from the 2009-2018 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) and included adults aged 19 years and older. We analyzed data of 47,907 respondents on SHS exposures in the past week and of 23,572 respondents who had both urine cotinine and creatinine measurements. SHS exposure was defined as those who answered 'yes' to whether or not they were exposed to smoking by SR. We performed descriptive analysis, Average annual percentage change (AAPC), and multiple regression analysis. All analyses were weighted reflecting the multi-stratified cluster sampling.

RESULTS

Exposure to SHS indoors at the work place (WSHS) (2009: 44.8%, 2018: 12.3%), indoors at home (HSHS) (2009: 14.1%, 2018: 3.9%), and indoors at public places (PSHS) (2013: 55.6%, 2018: 15.4%) decreased steadily over the years. WSHS and PSHS exposure was higher for males but HSHS was higher for females. However, the concentration of cotinine-to-creatinine ratio (Co/Cr) was higher among females regardless of SHS exposure status and environment. Multiple regression analysis showed that among males, the association between Co/Cr education level and WSHS was the strongest, and among females, the association was the strongest with HSHS. In addition, home exposure to SHS intensified the differences in Co/Cr levels between males and females.

CONCLUSION

Our study confirmed that cotinine-induced SHS showed different results by year and gender compared to SR. In particular, Co/Cr level in females was higher than in males regardless of exposure by SR, suggesting that SR did not correctly evaluate SHS. To reflect reality more accurately, biomarkers should be monitored along with SR.

Passive smoking as a risk factor among older adults: an ordered probability approach for Türkiye

Background/aim

Older adults represent a significant proportion of the population of many societies, and being one of the disadvantaged groups, they struggle with various difficulties in their social lives. Undoubtedly, passive smoking is one of these difficulties. Passive smoking among older adults, which is an important public health problem, is an issue that needs to be investigated. The aim of this study is to determine the relationship between the demographic and socio-economic characteristics of adults aged 60 and older in Türkiye and their exposure to secondhand smoke (SHS).

Methods

In this study, a microdata set of the 2016 and 2019 Turkey Health Survey conducted by the Turkish Statistical Institute (TUIK) was used. This survey was conducted by TUIK in the relevant years using a stratified sampling method to best represent the whole of Turkey. The study considered only demographic and socio-economic characteristics to investigate passive smoking. Since all the variables used in the study were categorical, the relationship between the dependent variable and the independent variables was first investigated using chi-square tests. In addition, since the dependent variable has an ordered-categorical probability form, the generalized ordinal logit model was used for the analysis of passive smoking and related factors.

Results

The rate of exposure to tobacco smoke of older adults who participated in the study in 2016 was 16%, while the rate of those who participated in the study in 2019 was 21%.

Conclusion

According to the findings of the study, older, uneducated, and uninsured smokers carry a more serious SHS risk. It may be beneficial for society for policy makers to carry out studies by considering these features a priority and focusing on policies in this context. Expanding smoke-free areas to cover older adult, increasing penalties as a deterrent, facilitating education, increasing state support for education, increasing education and public service announcements about tobacco harms, and facilitating social security are the main examples. This study's findings are crucial as a source of information for the development of policies and programs aimed at preventing the exposure of older adults to tobacco smoke.

Secondhand smoke exposure for different education levels: findings from a large, nationally representative survey in Turkey

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study is to determine the factors that influence individuals' exposure to tobacco smoke in Turkey according to their education level.

DESIGN

Secondary data analysis.

PARTICIPANTS

Altogether, 17 084 individuals aged 15 and over were included in this study.

SETTINGS

Data set of the Turkey Health Survey in 2019.

METHODS

Binary logistic regression analysis was used to determine the factors associated with individuals' exposure to tobacco smoke.

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES

The variables age, gender, marital status, general health status, employment status, receipt of psychosocial support and tobacco use were found to be correlated with exposure to tobacco smoke.

RESULTS

The study determined that individuals who are illiterate/unschooled were exposed to tobacco smoke at a rate of 32.61%, primary school graduates at a rate of 34.32%, primary education graduates at a rate of 41.75%, high school graduates at a rate of 41.04% and university graduates at a rate of 40.34%.

CONCLUSION

As a result of the study, it is emphasised that men, young individuals, individuals with moderate and very good general health status, those who use tobacco, those who are unemployed and those who receive psychosocial support should be targeted. In addition, appropriate strategies for reducing secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure should be developed, taking into account public health strategies for increasing awareness of the adverse health effects of SHS exposure and the determinants of tobacco exposure according to the study.

Sex and Gender Differences in Occupational Hazard Exposures: a Scoping Review of the Recent Literature

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Comparative research on sex and/or gender differences in occupational hazard exposures is necessary for effective work injury and illness prevention strategies. This scoping review summarizes the peer-reviewed literature from 2009 to 2019 on exposure differences to occupational hazards between men and women, across occupations, and within the same occupation.

RECENT FINDINGS

Fifty-eight studies retrieved from eight databases met our inclusion criteria. Of these, 30 studies were found on physical hazards, 38 studies on psychological/psychosocial hazards, 5 studies on biological hazards, and 17 studies on chemical hazards. The majority of studies reported that men were exposed to noise, vibration, medical radiation, physically demanding work, solar radiation, falls, biomechanical risks, chemical hazards, and blood contamination; while women were exposed to wet work, bullying and discrimination, work stress, and biological agents. Within the same occupations, men were more likely to be exposed to physical hazards, with the exception of women in health care occupations and exposure to prolonged standing. Women compared to men in the same occupations were more likely to experience harassment, while men compared to women in the same occupations reported higher work stress. Men reported more exposure to hazardous chemicals in the same occupations as women. The review suggests that men and women have different exposures to occupational hazards and that these differences are not solely due to a gendered distribution of the labor force by occupation. Findings may inform prevention efforts seeking to reduce gender inequalities in occupational health. Future research is needed to explain the reasons for sex/gender inequality differences in exposures within the same occupation.

Exposure to Secondhand Smoke: Inconsistency between Self-Response and Urine Cotinine Biomarker Based on Korean National Data during 2009-2018

This study aimed to estimate the secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure using urinary cotinine (UCo) to prove that the SHS exposure could not be properly assessed by self-reporting (SR). In total, 28,574 nonsmokers aged >19 years were selected from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data (2009-2018). First, changes in the annual concentration of UCo were analyzed, and the annual SHS exposure rates were measured based on SR and UCo from 2009 to 2018. Then, the average UCo concentration and UCo-measured SHS exposure rate were confirmed according to the subjects' characteristics. Finally, factors associated with the UCo-measured SHS exposure rate were identified based on multiple regression analysis. The findings showed that the annual UCo concentrations and self-reported SHS exposure rates dropped significantly over the past decade. In contrast, the UCo-measured SHS exposure rate indicated that >80% of nonsmokers are still exposed to SHS. Moreover, we found vulnerable groups using UCo-measured SHS exposure rate. In particular, the self-reported SHS exposure at home and in workplaces and house type was highly associated with SHS exposure. Thus, these findings indicate that the actual SHS exposure could not be properly assessed by SR and should be verified using a biomarker, such as UCo. Considering that even a short-term exposure can be harmful to health, the goal of the policy should be to keep cotinine concentration as low as possible.

Subnational exposure to secondhand smoke in Iran from 1990 to 2013: a systematic review

Every year, almost eight million people die from tobacco-related diseases, among which around 1.2 million die from secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure. Generally, it is estimated that SHS constituents generated in the interval between puffs are approximately 3 times more toxic than those produced at the moment of puffing. There is no risk-free level of SHS exposure, and even brief exposure can be harmful to health. The aim of this study was to assess SHS exposure and its trend in the different provinces of Iran from 1990 to 2013. To collect available data on SHS exposure, a systematic review was performed. We searched international and national databases using a combination of Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) and relevant text words in the titles, abstracts, and/or keywords. Also, the data in national surveys were gathered. The frequency of exposure in different provinces as well as age, sex, and rural/urban areas were extracted. Afterwards, modeling was done to estimate SHS exposure from the smoking data. According to our findings, SHS exposure was more prevalent among young people. Moreover, this exposure was greater in rural areas as compared to urban areas. A national study on 13-15-year-old individuals showed the highest exposure occurred outdoors. In addition, a declining trend was observed on SHS exposure over time. It seems that attention to the importance of SHS exposure in researches in Iran dates back to 2001, and gradually, especially in recent years, further studies have been conducted on SHS exposure.

Prevalence, knowledge and education level associated with secondhand smoke exposure among never-smoking women in Inner Mongolia, Northern China

INTRODUCTION

Currently, 40.7% of women in China are exposed daily to secondhand smoke (SHS); however, research on SHS exposure among women in Inner Mongolia is limited. We aimed to investigate the prevalence of SHS exposure, knowledge about the harms of smoking and SHS, and the association between sociodemographic factors and SHS exposure among never-smoking women in Inner Mongolia, Northern China.

METHODS

This study was based on a survey of chronic disease and nutrition conducted among Chinese adults in Inner Mongolia during 2015, a cross-sectional study with multi-stage stratified cluster sampling. A total 2293 never-smoking women aged ≥18 years were included in the study. Face-to-face interviews were used to collect data of sociodemographic characteristics, SHS exposure, and related knowledge. Questionnaires were administered by trained investigators, and the reliability and validity of the questionnaires were high. We performed descriptive analysis and logistic regression. All analyses were performed by IBM SPSS Statistics version 19.0.

RESULTS

Of the total, 69% of young women in Inner Mongolia in 2015 reported that they were exposed to SHS, the highest rate in comparison with older and middle-aged women. A total 49.90% of young women reported being exposed to SHS every day. Respondents had insufficient knowledge regarding smoking and SHS exposure. Compared with older never-smoking women, their young counterparts had a higher risk of SHS exposure, with an odds ratio of 2.143 (95% CI: 1.647–2.787). Education level and ethnicity were also significantly associated with SHS exposure.

CONCLUSIONS

This study showed that the highest rates of SHS exposure were among young never-smoking women in Inner Mongolia, and women with high education levels were less likely to be exposed to SHS. Improved public health information is needed that prioritizes SHS exposure among young women in Inner Mongolia. Health education regarding SHS exposure should be widely implemented throughout communities in this region.

Burden of Disease Due to Secondhand Smoke among Korean Adults at Sub-National Level

BACKGROUND

Exposure to secondhand smoke (SHS) is one of the biggest health hazards. Quantifying the related burden of disease (BOD) is a powerful tool for making evidence-based policies. This study calculated the BOD due to SHS at sub-national level using the most recent statistics of Korea.

METHODS

SHS related diseases were selected by the systematic review of previous studies. Population attributable fraction (PAF) was calculated by using the standard formula using prevalence of exposure derived from Community Health Survey (CHS) 2013. SHS burden was calculated by multiplying nonsmoker's disability adjusted life years (DALYs) with PAF of SHS.

RESULTS

SHS burden at sub-national level ranged between 460 DALYs in Cheonan to 5 DALYs in Pyeongtaek, Songtan region. Median of DALY was highest in districts of metropolitan cities and lowest in small towns and rural areas. Twelve out of fifteen regions with highest DALY per 1,000 were small towns and rural areas. Gender and age standardized DALY was highest in Seogwipo (west) in Jeju-do (1.66/1,000) and lowest in Dong-gu, Ulsan (0.17/1,000).

CONCLUSION

There were substantial variations between regions according to BOD. Regional governments should implement policies according to specific situation in each region and regular monitoring should be done by calculating BOD. Big cities need to focus more on control of active and SHS prevalence. Resources in small towns and rural areas need to be allocated more towards implementation of screening programs, early diagnosis and treatment of diseases especially in the elderly population.

Non-smoker assertive behaviour against smoke exposure: Chinese and Korean American non-smokers

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS

Non-smokers' assertive behaviour towards smokers by asking them not to smoke is important in promoting smoke-free environments. Korean and Chinese Americans come from countries where most women are non-smokers and assertive behaviour may not be prevalent but may increase after migration because of social-ecological factors. This study assessed the extent to which Korean and Chinese American non-smokers ask someone not to smoke and associated factors.

DESIGN AND METHODS

The 2003 California Chinese American and Korean American Tobacco Use Surveys were analysed. Multivariate logistic regression analyses examined factors related to non-smoker self-reports that they asked someone not to smoke within the past year.

RESULTS

About 40% reported past-year assertive behaviour against smoking, with higher rates among Koreans than Chinese (60.4% vs. 34.5%), those living with smokers (63.5%), ever exposed with a smoke-free home rule (62.3%), recently exposed at work without a smoke-free work policy (67.6%) and regularly exposed at other locations (52.3%). In combined multivariate analyses of both ethnic groups, assertive behaviour was associated with individual factors (single vs. married; tobacco exposure knowledge), family factors (living with smokers, exposed at home despite a smoke-free rule), community factors (exposed at work with no smoke-free policy, exposed at other locations) and cultural factors (Korean vs. Chinese ethnicity; lower acculturation).

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

Chinese and Korean American non-smokers report assertive behaviour against smoking, which is associated with social-ecological factors. Results help identify target groups and strategies for future intervention, including the need to implement or enforce smoke-free environments and promote empowerment. [Saw A, Tang H, Tsoh JY, Chen MS Jr, Tong EK. Non-smoker assertive behaviour against smoke exposure: Chinese and Korean American non-smokers.