Prevalence and Sources of Second-Hand Smoking Exposure among Non-Smoking Pregnant Women in an Urban Setting of Vietnam

Factors Associated with Vaccination Uptake among Young Children: A Follow-Up Study of 1799 Toddlers

Childhood vaccination is crucial to protect young children from harmful infectious diseases. This study aimed to investigate the recent childhood immunization rate of recommended and additional vaccinations and identify the factors affecting the vaccination uptake of young children in Hong Kong. The self-administrated questionnaires were distributed to parents of toddlers aged 2 to 5. They were asked to provide information on (1) socioeconomic demographic factors; (2) experiences during pregnancy; and (3) the medical history of the toddler. A total of 1799 responses were collected. Children were more likely to be fully vaccinated when they were at a younger age (aOR = 0.61, 95% CI: 0.48–0.78, p < 0.001), the first child in the family (aOR second-born = 0.62, 95% CI: 0.48–0.81, p < 0.001; aOR third-born = 0.33, 95% CI: 0.19–0.55, p < 0.001), had a higher household income (aOR HKD 15,000–HKD 29,999 = 1.80, 95% CI: 1.27–2.55, p = 0.001; aOR ≥ HKD 30,000 = 3.42, 95% CI: 2.39–4.90, p < 0.001; compared with <HKD 15,000), or with mothers in older age groups (aOR 35–39 years old = 2.45, 95% CI = 1.22–4.93, p = 0.012; aOR ≥ 40 = 2.90, 95% CI = 1.24–6.77, p = 0.014; compared with ≤ age 24). The uptake of any additional vaccination was 71%. Children who were older (aOR = 1.32, 95% CI: 1.02–1.70, p = 0.036), the first child in the family (aOR second-born = 0.74, 95% CI: 0.56–0.99, p = 0.043; aOR third-born = 0.55, 95% CI: 0.32–0.96, p = 0.034), with higher household income (aOR ≥ HKD 30,000 = 1.61, 95% CI: 1.10–2.37, p = 0.016), were exposed to second-hand smoke from the father (aOR: 1.49, 95% CI: 1.08–2.07, p = 0.016), experienced hospitalization (twice or more—aOR: 1.44, 95% CI: 1.04–1.99, p = 0.027), or were fully vaccinated (aOR: 2.76, 95% CI: 2.12–3.60, p < 0.001) were associated with a higher chance of taking an additional vaccine. To encourage the vaccination rate, more attention should be given to families with more children, low-income families, and younger mothers.

Prenatal second-hand smoke exposure and the risk of suspected developmental coordination disorder in preschoolers: A nationwide retrospective cohort study in China

Prenatal exposure to second-hand smoke (SHS) is associated with increased neurodevelopmental problems in children, however, its impact on the risk of developmental coordination disorder (DCD) in preschoolers have not been studied thoroughly. Herein, we probed this association based on a nationwide retrospective cohort study of 149,005 preschoolers in China. We divided the objects into the prenatal SHS-exposed group or the no prenatal smoke exposed group (NS-exposed group). Preschoolers were assessed for motor proficiency by the Chinese version of Little Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire (LDCDQ). Multivariable logistic regression was used to evaluate the associations. The prevalence of prenatal SHS exposure was 23.89%. Generally, the prevalence of suspected DCD was significantly higher in prenatal SHS-exposed group (16.38% VS. 14.19%, P < 0.001). With the increase of age, the mean total scores of LDCDQ of both boys and girls increased gradually; and the prevalence of suspected DCD in girls was higher than that in boys in the same age group. After adjusting for covariates, prenatal SHS exposure had the negative association with the total score of LDCDQ and increased the risk of suspected DCD. Our results suggest a need for interventions designed to reduce maternal SHS exposure during pregnancy, early screen for DCD and increase targeted movement and coordination skill training for vulnerable children.

Women's holistic self-care behaviors during pregnancy and associations with psychological well-being: implications for maternal care facilities

Background

Self-care behaviors during pregnancy significantly impacts mother and children's health. This study aimed to explore the self-care behaviors and the associations of these behaviors with the psychological well-being of women during pregnancy, as well as the mediating effects of different social support with these associations.

Methods

A cross-sectional data of 562 pregnant women at Hanoi Obstetrics & Gynecology Hospital and Ca Mau Obstetrics & Pediatrics in Vietnam were analyzed. Questions about self-care behaviors, pregnancy characteristics, social support, and psychological well-being were asked. Multivariate regression models were performed. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was employed to test the mediating effects of different social support with the association between self-care behaviors and psychological well-being.

Findings

Only 13% of pregnant women often or always did physical exercise at least three times a week, and 40% consumed enough fiber and five servings of vegetables a day. Only 78.7% always avoided alcohol drinking, and 53.9% of pregnant women avoided being exposed to second-hand smoking and 71,7% avoided using traditional medicine without physicians’ prescriptions. Around 66% of pregnant women always or often had prenatal care checkups as scheduled. Information sources, social support and childbirth expectation were major drivers for self-care practices. SEM model showed that social support mediated the relationship between maternal health behaviors and mental well-being.

Conclusion

This study highlighted the remarkable gaps in self-care practices among our pregnant women, which were significantly associated with their mental well-being. Social support-oriented consultancy and interventions should be warranted for improving behaviors and the mental well-being of pregnant women in Vietnam.

Analysis of Environmental and Social Significant Factors Affecting the Flow of Maternal Patients in Jilin, China

Background

With the implementation of China's Two-child policy, the number of pregnant women has been increasing year by year in recent years. However, the pregnancy success rate of pregnant women is declining year by year, and it is almost necessary for all the elderly mothers to do pregnancy protection.

Objective

The purpose of this study is to analyze the social and environmental factors that affect the patient flow of pregnant women in Jilin area of China, and further utilize the favorable factors to avoid the negative effects of adverse factors, so as to improve the pregnancy success rate and eugenics level.

Methods

Monthly patient flow data from 2018 to 2020 were collected in the obstetrics department of the First Hospital of Jilin University. The decompose function in R software was used to decompose the time series data, and the seasonal and trend change rules of the data were obtained; the significant factors influencing patient flow were analyzed by using Poisson regression model, and the prediction model was verified by using assumptions, such as the normal distribution of residuals and the constant difference of residuals.

Results

Temperature in environmental factors (P = 4.00E−08) had a significant impact on the flow of obstetric patient. The flow of patients was also significantly affected by the busy farming (P = 0.0013), entrance (P = 3.51E−10) and festivals (P = 0.00299). The patient flow was accompanied by random flow, but also showed trend change and seasonal change. The trend of change has been increasing year by year. The seasonal variation rule is that the flow of patients presents a trough in February every year, and reaches the peak in July.

Conclusion

In this article, Poisson regression model is used to obtain the social and environmental significant factors of obstetric patient flow. According to the significant factors, we should give full play to significant factors to further improve the level of eugenics. By using time series decomposition model, we can obtain the rising trend and seasonal trend of patient flow, and then provide the management with decision support, which is conducive to providing pregnant women with higher level of medical services and more comfortable medical experience.

Second-Hand Smoking Prevalence in Vietnamese Population Aged 15 and older: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background:

Second-hand smoking (SHS) is associated with many health problems. However, its prevalence in the community population aged 15 years and older in Vietnam is unknown.

Objectives:

To quantify the prevalence of SHS in Vietnamese communities aged 15 and above.

Methods:

This is a meta-analysis that reviewed studies of the prevalence of SHS in Vietnam published in MEDLINE, Scopus, Pubmed and the WHO library database between 1 January 2010 and 31 December 2019. MedCalc was used to perform all the analyses, and publication bias was determined using funnel plots and Egger regression asymmetry tests. Q-test and I2 statistic were used to identify heterogeneity across studies.

Results:

There were 7 articles that met our inclusion criteria 2 surveys at the national level, 3 Cross-sectional studies and 2 Case-control studies) involving 184 921 participants. According to the meta-analysis, the overall random-effects pooled prevalence of SHS was 54.6% (95% CIs: 44.900-64.154) with a high level of heterogeneity ( P = .0001, Q = 2245.60, I2 = 99.73%). It is noteworthy that the pooled prevalence of SHS rose throughout the course of the survey years. Our research found no evidence of publication bias.

Conclusions:

Vietnam has ratified the implementation the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) in 2004, there are still a large number of people who are adversely impacted by SHS. Given the tremendous cost that SHS imposes on health systems, our results underscore the critical need for the Vietnamese government to expedite an implementation of a set of stronger tobacco control practices, thus reducing the incidence of smoking-related illnesses and fatalities.

Individual and contextual variables associated with smoking and alcohol consumption during pregnancy

OBJECTIVE

to analyze the association between individual characteristics and housing context with smoking and alcohol consumption during pregnancy.

METHODS

a cross-sectional study with a probabilistic sample of 3,580 pregnant women who underwent prenatal care in the Unified Health System in 2019. The outcomes were firsthand, secondhand smoke and alcohol consumption during pregnancy. Individual characteristics and the living environment were used as exploratory variables.

RESULTS

living in a neighborhood with episodes of violence, without social cohesion and without urban elements that encourage physical activity was associated with smoking. Alcohol consumption during pregnancy was associated with living in environments that do not encourage physical activity. Smoking was also associated with lower income and education.

CONCLUSIONS

individual characteristics and the living environment are associated with smoking, secondhand smoke and alcohol consumption during pregnancy.

Cigarette Smoke Underlies the Pathogenesis of Palmoplantar Pustulosis via an IL-17A-Induced Production of IL-36γ in Tonsillar Epithelial Cells

Palmoplantar pustulosis (PPP) is characterized by sterile pustules on the palms and soles. A strong association between PPP and tobacco smoking has been reported, and it has been speculated that the IL-17A pathway may play an important role in PPP. Recent studies have suggested that IL-36 plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis and its subtypes. The relationships among IL-36, smoking, and PPP have not been examined. Here, we investigated the relationships among the smoking index, severity of the clinical condition of PPP, and in vitro dynamics of IL-36 in human tonsillar epithelial cells under the condition of exposure to a cigarette smoke extract. The results demonstrated that the Palmoplantar Pustulosis Area and Severity Index was strongly and positively correlated with the smoking index in female patients. Immunohistochemical examinations showed that IL-36γ was highly expressed in tonsillar epithelial cells from patients with PPP but not in those from patients with recurrent tonsillitis without PPP. The in vitro study revealed that IL-17A synergistically induced a release of IL-36γ under cigarette smoke extract exposure. These results suggest that local production of IL-36γ by epithelial cells induced by cigarette smoke exposure plays an important role in the pathogenesis of PPP.

Exposure of second hand smoke in women and children: A narrative review

Second-hand smoke is a neglected public health issue. Every year 1.2 million people die due to this exposure. Second-hand smoke is also related to various other diseases like cardiovascular diseases, lung diseases, low birth weight, maternal depression, etc. The purpose of this review is to look over various studies and to gain an understanding of existing research about second-hand smoke and its adverse effects. In addition, we tried to identify the barriers behind creating a smoke-free environment at home and successful strategies employed and suggestion given in various studies. A comprehensive search of the recent literature related to Second-hand smoke was undertaken using electronic databases like MEDLINE, PUBMED, Google Scholar, and Research gate. Keyword searches were conducted for publications published since 2004 or later on Second-hand smoke exposure in pregnant women. Prevalence of SHS among pregnant women ranged from 24% 92%. Lack of knowledge, absence of comprehensive smoking ban, low status of women was among the main contributing factors. Community awareness and counseling by primary health-care physician was found to be successful strategies. There are various cultural and social barriers behind a smoke-free home for pregnant women. Interventional approaches like focused counseling by primary care physicians can help to overcome this issue. There is a need for behavioral interventions and community awareness to be done in this aspect.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Associated Factors Among First-Year Elementary School Students

PURPOSE

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a mental health disorder commonly in children. This study aimed to examine the prevalence of ADHD and risk factors among first-year pupils in Vietnam's urban city.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted in four randomly selected primary schools. Information on 525 pupils in grade 1 (ages 6 to 7 years) was collected from 525 parents/caregivers and 28 teachers. We used the Vanderbilt Assessment Scales with two separate versions for parents and teachers to screen children with ADHD symptoms.

RESULTS

Among the total of 525 pupils, 24 (4.6%) were found to have ADHD symptom types (boy: 6.5%; girl: 2.1%). The combined ADHD type accounted for the highest proportion of 3.4%, followed by predominantly inattentive and predominantly hyperactivity type. ADHD prevalence rated by teachers was higher than those rated by parents. High agreement between parents and teachers was reported (κ > 0.6). The risk of ADHD increased in male participants (aOR=4.90, 95% CI 1.51-15.85), those having a first-degree relative with ADHD (aOR=85.2, 95% CI 1.66-4371.8), in-utero exposure to tobacco smoke (aOR=4.78, 95% CI 1.31-17.44), and prenatal alcohol drinking (aOR=8.87, 95% CI 2.29-34.42).

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest the importance of ADHD screening for pupils attending elementary schools, particularly those with a family history of ADHD. Public health programs should reduce prenatal exposure to the potential risk factors of ADHD (smoking and alcohol consumption).

Change in Compliance of Staff at 4 Vietnam Universities after the Enactment of Smoke-free Environment Decree

BACKGROUND

The Tobacco Control Law in Vietnam was adopted in 2012 and came into force from May 2013, followed by a number of guiding sub-law legal documents. Smoke-free campus policy in university is considered an important measure to protect people from secondhand smoking as well as staffs and students will be in favour of the policy. Furthermore, there has been evidence suggested that smoke-free policy had positive impact on active smoking as well as anti-smoking attitude.

METHODS

A cross-sectional self-administered study of staff at 4 universities were conducted in 2 phases, Phase 1 as early introduction of the Law (n = 900) and Phase 2 as 1-year post (n = 885). Demographics, tobacco consumption, compliance status and compliance with awareness towards the campus smoking regulations were assessed in both phases.

RESULTS

Daily smoking prevalence decreased significantly (P < .05) 1 year after implementing the smoke-free policy, while a significant increase in occasional smoking (P < .01). Compliance of staff to the regulation the campus should be indoor smoke-free was significantly increase at Phase 2 compared to Phase 1, however participants reported there would be places on campus that smokers frequently violated the smoke-free regulations.

CONCLUSIONS

The study indicated a significant positive change in compliance of staff at the 4 universities after the implementation of the Tobacco Control Law, included the smoke-free policy. Although the prevalence of tobacco smoking in this study was low, the proportion of respondents who reported to reduce infringement the smoke-free policy suggests support for staff smokers would be beneficial. Raising awareness and enforcement is likely to enhance the long-term outcomes of the implementation of smoke-free environment.

Inadequate Knowledge, Attitude and Practices about Second-Hand Smoke among Non-Smoking Pregnant Women in Urban Vietnam: The Need for Health Literacy Reinforcement

The rate of exposure to second-hand smoke (SHS) is relatively high in several countries, including Vietnam, and health issues related to SHS have worsened in recent years, especially for pregnant women and their infants. Enhancement of knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) scores of pregnant women in Vietnam could raise practical interventions to protect their health and reduce complications of SHS. A cross-sectional study of 432 pregnant women who came to the Obstetrics Department of Bach Mai Hospital, Hanoi, Vietnam for antenatal care was conducted in 2016 to collect information about their KAP related to SHS. Composite mean scores from survey questions assessing their KAP were calculated on a 10-point scale, finding mean scores of 4.19, 7.45, and 4.30, respectively. Higher scores indicated better knowledge, attitude, and practice. Generalized linear models identified that age, occupation, living place, and sources of information were associated with SHS-related KAP. Findings from this study indicate that suitable programs related to SHS should be implemented to improve and reinforce health literacy to both mothers and smokers to reduce the harmfulness of smoking on women and their infants' health.

Obsessive-compulsive symptoms and cigarette smoking: an initial cross-sectional test of mechanisms of co-occurrence

Tobacco addiction and obsessive-compulsive symptoms (OCS; intrusive thoughts or impulses that cause distress and rituals) are both mediated by compulsivity and negative reinforcement. Little evidence exists to guide theory, research, treatment, and population-based prevention of this co-occurrence. We propose a conceptual model of OCS-smoking co-occurrence in which smokers with elevated OCS capitalize on smoking to assuage OCS. This secondary analysis examined associations between OCS levels and self-reported smoking motives that are model-concordant: i) negative reinforcement-smoking for relief; ii) sensorimotor-benefits of behaviors and sensations of the tobacco self-administration ritual; and iii) habitual-smoking without conscious control. A community sample of cigarette smokers enrolled in a cessation trial (N = 458; 47.2% female; M _age = 36.9; SD = 13.6) completed pre-quit self-report measures of OCS levels and smoking motives. Regression models adjusted for sociodemographic covariates and non-OCS psychopathologies indicated that OCS level was positively associated with each model-concordant motive. OCS level was also correlated with tobacco dependence severity and greater withdrawal symptom severity experienced during previous quit attempts. Those with higher OCS report greater motivation to smoke for negative reinforcement, sensorimotor behavioral-ritualistic, habit/automaticity, and stimulation reasons. Further examination of the proposed model of OCS-smoking co-occurrence is warranted to guide theory and intervention for this population.

Smoking Prevalence and Secondhand Smoke Exposure during Pregnancy and Postpartum-Establishing Risks to Health and Human Rights before Developing a Tailored Programme for Smoking Cessation

Both smoking during pregnancy and secondhand smoke exposure are associated with reduced health outcomes. However, limited consistent evidence exists of risks of secondhand smoke exposure in pregnancy. Currently, inadequate smoking cessation services exist in Irish maternity hospitals. To identify the number of pregnant women smoking during pregnancy and to identify their exposure to secondhand smoke, we conducted a cross-sectional observational pilot study in one regional maternity hospital in Ireland in July/August 2018. Respondents were (1) women attending antenatal clinics and (2) postpartum women before discharge. Variables measured included smoking status of pregnant women and partner status, demographic variables, secondhand smoke exposure, and support for hospital smoke-free policy and development of smoking cessation services. The overall response rate was 42.2% in this study. The response rate was 56.5% (111/196) from postnatal wards and 37.3% (215/577) from antenatal clinics. Over 40% of respondents reported they had smoked during their lifetime. The majority of women (70%) reported quitting smoking before their pregnancy. Few women were active smokers. Almost 40% reported exposure to tobacco smoke in the previous week (38.5%); 16.9% reported living with a smoker, a critical factor in increased risk (Odds Ratio (OR) 3.89, 95% CI = 1.86-8.15, p < 0.001). Approximately 10% of postnatal mothers reported that their newborn would travel home with a smoker. Support for a no-smoking hospital policy was very high as was support for the development of cessation services. No documentation of secondhand smoke exposure for pregnant women or newborns is sought or recorded routinely in the hospital. A systems approach to develop smoking cessation programmes in maternity care should include screening and documenting of secondhand smoke exposure risks for women during pregnancy, and for their newborns at discharge, to improve health outcomes and protect human rights.