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Reduction of secondary smoke exposure in asthmatic children: parent counseling
S B Meltzer1, M F Hovell, E O Meltzer
1San Diego State University, California.
Insights
This study shows that counseling can significantly reduce secondhand smoke exposure in children with asthma. The intervention helped lower exposure by 40-80%, improving respiratory health outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Secondhand tobacco smoke (SHS) exposure is a significant risk factor for respiratory illnesses in children.
- Asthma prevalence and severity are exacerbated by environmental tobacco smoke exposure.
- Limited evidence exists on effective interventions to reduce SHS exposure in pediatric pulmonary disease populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of an outpatient counseling program in reducing children's exposure to passive smoking.
- To assess the impact of parental counseling on smoking frequency and children's SHS exposure.
- To determine the sustainability of intervention effects during follow-up.
Main Methods:
- A quasiexperimental design with a multiple-baseline approach was employed.
- Five families with asthmatic children (aged 5-14 years) participated.
- Intervention involved biweekly counseling sessions for parents on limiting children's SHS exposure, with self-reported measures of exposure and smoking frequency.
Main Results:
- Counseling interventions led to a 40-80% reduction in SHS exposure from baseline for all participating children.
- The observed reductions in smoke exposure were largely sustained during the follow-up period.
- Parental smoking frequency was also monitored, though the primary focus was on child exposure.
Conclusions:
- Outpatient counseling programs are effective in reducing children's exposure to secondhand smoke.
- This intervention shows promise for improving health outcomes in children with pulmonary diseases like asthma.
- Further development and implementation of tobacco exposure prevention programs for vulnerable pediatric populations are warranted.
Abstract:
Epidemiological evidence shows that children's exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke increases their risk of respiratory illness. This study evaluated five families and their asthmatic children (aged 5-14 years) in an outpatient counseling program for reducing the children's exposure to passive smoking. Intervention included biweekly counseling/instructions for parents to limit their children's tobacco exposure. A multiple-baseline, quasiexperimental design was used for self-reported measures of the children's smoke exposure and the parent's smoking frequency. Counseling was associated with smoke exposure reduction of 40-80% from baseline for each of 5 children, with most improvements sustained during follow-up. This study provides support for the development of tobacco exposure prevention programs for children with pulmonary disease.