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Effects of information on smoking behaviour in families with preschool children
W Eriksen1, K Sørum, D Bruusgaard
1Department of Community Medicine and General Practice, University of Oslo, Norway.
Insights
An information program aimed at preventing childhood passive smoking during well-child visits did not significantly alter parental smoking behaviors or protective measures. The study found no differences between the intervention and control groups regarding changes in smoking habits.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Pediatrics
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Passive smoking poses significant health risks to children.
- Effective interventions are needed to reduce children's exposure to secondhand smoke.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of an information program on preventing passive smoking in children.
- To assess the program's impact on parental smoking behavior and protective measures.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial involving 443 families with smoking parents in Oslo, Norway.
- Intervention group received a brief smoking cessation session and brochures during well-child visits.
- Control group received no smoking-related information.
Main Results:
- No significant differences were observed between the intervention and control groups in changes in smoking behavior (daily smoking, quantity).
- No significant differences were found in the implementation of practical measures to prevent passive smoking (e.g., no smoking indoors).
Conclusions:
- The tested information program, delivered during well-child visits, was not effective in changing parental smoking behavior or increasing protective measures.
- Further research may be needed to identify more effective strategies for reducing childhood passive smoking exposure.
Abstract:
An information programme on measures to prevent passive smoking by children, designed for use during well-child visits, was tested. A total of 443 consecutive families with one or two smoking parents, attending mother and child health centres in Oslo, Norway, were randomly allocated to an intervention group (n = 221) and a control group (n = 222). Eighty families (18%) dropped out during the study period. For the intervention group, the communication between the health visitor and the family was prolonged at one well-child visit with a brief session on smoking, and the parents were given three brochures. The families in the control group received no information on smoking. Changes in practical measures to prevent passive smoking by the children (e.g. no smoking indoors) as well as changes in daily smoking and smoking quantity were assessed by parental reports. We found no significant differences between the groups with respect to change in smoking behaviour.