Inadequate Knowledge, Attitude and Practices about Second-Hand Smoke among Non-Smoking Pregnant Women in Urban Vietnam: The Need for Health Literacy Reinforcement.

The rate of exposure to second-hand smoke (SHS) is relatively high in several countries, including Vietnam, and health issues related to SHS have worsened in recent years, especially for pregnant women and their infants. Enhancement of knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) scores of pregnant women in Vietnam could raise practical interventions to protect their health and reduce complications of SHS. A cross-sectional study of 432 pregnant women who came to the Obstetrics Department of Bach Mai Hospital, Hanoi, Vietnam for antenatal care was conducted in 2016 to collect information about their KAP related to SHS. Composite mean scores from survey questions assessing their KAP were calculated on a 10-point scale, finding mean scores of 4.19, 7.45, and 4.30, respectively. Higher scores indicated better knowledge, attitude, and practice. Generalized linear models identified that age, occupation, living place, and sources of information were associated with SHS-related KAP. Findings from this study indicate that suitable programs related to SHS should be implemented to improve and reinforce health literacy to both mothers and smokers to reduce the harmfulness of smoking on women and their infants' health.

Prevalence and Sources of Second-Hand Smoking Exposure among Non-Smoking Pregnant Women in an Urban Setting of Vietnam.

Exposure to second-hand smoke (SHS) among non-smoking pregnant women can lead to adverse maternal and fetal outcomes. A cross-sectional study was performed from July to August 2016 among 432 pregnant women at Bach Mai Hospital, Hanoi, Vietnam, to assess the prevalence and sources of SHS exposure among non-smoking pregnant women. Socio-economic characteristics and information regarding SHS exposure of participants were collected. Multivariable logistic regression was employed to identify associated factors. Overall, 92.6% and 64.5% of pregnant women were exposed to SHS in their lifetime and in the last 30 days, respectively. Cafeterias and restaurants had the highest proportion of pregnant women exposed to SHS. Those who reported that "smoking is allowed at home" (OR = 3.18; 95%CI = 1.97-5.13); going to working place (OR = 1.86; 95%CI = 1.08-3.19), going to state authority offices (OR = 1.98; 95%CI = 1.15-3.41), and cafeterias (OR = 1.96; 95%CI = 1.22-3.16) had the highest risk of SHS exposure in the last 30 days. We have found a high proportion of SHS exposure among non-smoking pregnant women in Vietnam. This comes from a multitude of sources, including homes, workplaces, cafeterias, and restaurants. The data emphasises the need for further intervention to address this health issue.