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Cohort study of smoke-free homes in economically disadvantaged communities in the Dominican Republic.
- Source :
-
Revista panamericana de salud publica = Pan American journal of public health [Rev Panam Salud Publica] 2014 Jan; Vol. 35 (1), pp. 30-7. - Publication Year :
- 2014
-
Abstract
- Objective: To analyze household smoking-ban prevalence over time and predictors among communities in the Dominican Republic, historically a significant tobacco-growing country with few tobacco control regulations.<br />Methods: Baseline (2004) and follow-up surveillance surveys (2006, 2007) (each n > 1 000 randomly selected households) conducted in six economically disadvantaged communities (three tobacco-growing and two each urban, peri-urban, and rural) assessed household members' demographics, health status, and household characteristics, including smoking restrictions.<br />Results: Between 2004 and 2007, household smoking-ban prevalence increased in all communities, with overall rates increasing from 23.9% (2004) to 45.3% (2007). Households with smokers adopted smoking bans at lower rates (6%-17%) versus those without smokers (which had an adoption rate of 35%-58%). Logistic regression models demonstrated that the associations between allowing smoking in households with no members who smoked and being located in a tobacco-growing community, being a Catholic household, and having a member with a cardiovascular problem were statistically significant. The association between having a child under age 5 or a member with a respiratory condition and prohibiting smoking in the home was not statistically significant.<br />Conclusions: Prevalence of households banning smoking increased in all communities but remained well below rates in industrialized countries. For low- and middle-income countries or those in early stages of tobacco control, basic awareness-raising measures (including surveillance activities) may lead to statistically significant increases in household smoking-ban adoption, particularly among households with no smokers. An increase in household smoking-ban prevalence may result in changes in community norms that can lead to a further increase in the adoption of smoking bans. Having household members who smoke and being in a tobacco-growing community may mitigate the establishment of household bans. Increasing individuals' knowledge about the far-reaching health effects of secondhand smoke exposure on children and nonsmoking adults (healthy or unhealthy) may help overcome these obstacles.
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1680-5348
- Volume :
- 35
- Issue :
- 1
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Revista panamericana de salud publica = Pan American journal of public health
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 24626445