Parental smoking and the risk of respiratory symptoms among schoolboys in Al-Khobar City, Saudi Arabia
Author: Al Dawood K.
Source:
Journal of Asthma, 38(2), 149-154.
The objective of this study was to measure the prevalence of parental smoking and
its association with respiratory symptoms among 6- through 15-year-old schoolboys
in Al-Khobar City, Saudi ArabiThis was a cross-sectional study. The
methodology included the distribution of a self-administered questionnaire, which
was completed by the parents of 1482 schoolboys who satisfied the selection
criteria of the study. The overall rate of smoking among parents of this sample
was 18.2% (32% among fathers and 4% among mothers). There was an increased risk
associated with parental smoking and respiratory symptoms among asthmatic and
nonasthmatic children. The magnitude of this risk was variable for different
respirator), symptoms. The smoking rate among parents of asthmatic children was
significantly higher than that of parents of normal children. The logistic
regression model showed paternal smoking to be significantly associated with
asthmatic children. The study concluded that there is an increased risk of
respiratory symptoms among asthmatic and nonasthmatic children because of
parental smoking. The smoking rate and trend among fathers and mothers were
comparable to those reported earlier, indicating an ongoing problem.
Schoolchildren with smoking parents may be better screened for bronchial asthm
Management of children presenting with respiratory symptoms should include an
inquiry about exposure to passive smoking. Tobacco smoking should be considered a
public health problem with serious implications, and the importation of tobacco
should be banned.