| Summary: | Background
This study aimed to explore the association
between household tobacco exposure and recent respiratory symptoms and medical
service utilisations in Hong Kong young children.
Methods
Analysis was performed on data obtained
from a community-based cross-sectional pneumococcal carriage surveillance study
of healthy children aged under 2 years. Information on demographics, household
tobacco exposure status (any household smokers), household tobacco exposure level (total number
of household smokers, total number of cigarettes consumed by household smokers per
day), children's recent
respiratory symptoms in 3 days and 1 month as well as children's recent medical
services utilisation in 3 months were obtained by parent-reported
questionnaires.
Results
1541 subjects (mean age: 11.2 months, male:
50.7%) were recruited from June 2013 to June 2014. The prevalence
of household tobacco exposure was 31.5%, prevalence of prenatal and postnatal
maternal smoking were 1.6% and 3.5% respectively. After adjustment for
potential confounders, children's household tobacco exposure (AOR=1.33, 95% CI:
1.03-1.70) and postnatal maternal smoking exposure (AOR=2.30, 95% CI:
1.09-4.85) were significantly and independently associated with all-cause doctor
consultation in recent 3 months; postnatal maternal smoking exposure (AOR=2.70,
95% CI: 1.16-6.27) was significantly and independently associated with all-cause
hospitalisation in recent 3 months. In addition, children with household
smokers consuming more than 20 cigarettes/day (AOR= 3.47, 95% CI: 1.94-10.08)
had adjusted higher risk of having recent respiratory symptoms in 1 month
compared with those non exposed.
Conclusions
Household tobacco exposure was associated with recent medical
service utilisation and respiratory symptoms in Hong Kong young children. As
home is the most significant source of environmental tobacco exposure for young
children, efforts for reducing such exposure are essential.
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