RESUMEN
OBJECTIVES: Children are highly vulnerable to damage from passive smoking as they are unable to avoid environmental tobacco, if present. Some reports have suggested that domestic exposure to environmental tobacco smoke can increase respiratory diseases in children. The aim of this study was to assess whether domestic passive smoking is associated with new respiratory events. METHODS: A descriptive, retrospective study was performed of 410 children aged less than 14 years old. The variables studied were: a) smokers in the household, b) the number of cigarettes smoked per day, c) school attendance, d) the number of siblings, e) previous respiratory diseases among parents and siblings, f) maternal smoking in pregnancy, and g) the number of respiratory events recorded in the previous year. Univariate, bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed. RESULTS: A total of 50.2 % of the children cohabited with smokers at home. The mean number of upper respiratory tract events per child living in environments free of tobacco smoke was 2.53 versus 3.52 when one of the household members smoked. For respiratory disease as a whole, an inverse association with age was found [OR = 0.83; (95 % CI: 0.76-0.90)] and a direct association was found with maternal smoking [OR = 4.56 (95 % CI; 1.84-11.34)]. With upper respiratory tract disease, the OR was 1.4 if the mother smoked 11-20 cigarettes/day, and was 1.9 if the number of cigarettes was > 20. With lower respiratory diseases, the odds ratio was 3.48 (95 % CI; 2.07-6.06) if the mother smoked. CONCLUSIONS: Fifty percent of the children studied were exposed to environmental tobacco smoke in the home. Younger children were at higher risk. The major risk factor for respiratory disease was maternal smoking and the risk increased with the number of cigarettes smoked. Health education is essential to protect children from tobacco smoke exposure.
Asunto(s)
Contaminación del Aire Interior/efectos adversos , Enfermedades Respiratorias/etiología , Contaminación por Humo de Tabaco/efectos adversos , Niño , Preescolar , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Madres , Estudios RetrospectivosRESUMEN
Objetivos: Los niños son muy vulnerables al tabaquismo pasivo dado que no pueden evitar la exposición al tabaco si ésta se presenta. Hay datos indicativos de que la exposición doméstica al humo de tabaco puede aumentar la patología respiratoria en la infancia. El objetivo de este estudio fue comprobar si la exposición se asociaba a la aparición de nuevos episodios respiratorios. Métodos: Se estudiaron 410 menores de 14 años. Se trata de un estudio retrospectivo descriptivo. Variables: a) fumadores entre los convivientes; b) cigarrillos/día; c) escolarización; d) hermanos; e) antecedentes patológicos respiratorios en los padres/hermanos; f) tabaquismo materno durante la gestación, y g) episodios respiratorios registrados en el ultimo año. Se hizo análisis univariante, bivariante y multivariante. Resultados: El 50,2 % de los niños conviven con fumadores en el hogar. La media de episodios de vías altas por cada niño con hogar libre de exposición al tabaco fue de 2,53 frente a 3,52 episodios que aparecieron en caso de existir fumadores en la casa. Para el conjunto de patología respiratoria se observó relación inversa con la edad: odds ratio (OR): 0,83 (intervalo de confianza del 95 % [IC 95 %]: 0,76-0,90) y directa con el hábito tabáquico de la madre: OR: 4,56 (IC 95 %: 1,84-11,34). Patología de vías altas, si la madre fuma 11-20 cigarrillos, OR: 1,4, y si fuma más de 20, OR: 1,9. Patología de vías bajas, si la madre fuma: OR: 3,48 (IC 95 %: 2,07-6,06). Conclusiones: Uno de cada 2 menores está expuesto al humo de tabaco en el hogar. Los riesgos son mayores cuando menor es la edad. El hábito tabáquico de la madre es el que más influye y se incrementa en función del número de cigarrillos. La educación sanitaria es fundamental para proteger a los niños del humo del tabaco
Objectives: Children are highly vulnerable to damage from passive smoking as they are unable to avoid environmental tobacco, if present. Some reports have suggested that domestic exposure to environmental tobacco smoke can increase respiratory diseases in children. The aim of this study was to assess whether domestic passive smoking is associated with new respiratory events. Methods: A descriptive, retrospective study was performed of 410 children aged less than 14 years old. The variables studied were: a) smokers in the household, b) the number of cigarettes smoked per day, c) school attendance, d) the number of siblings, e) previous respiratory diseases among parents and siblings, f) maternal smoking in pregnancy, and g) the number of respiratory events recorded in the previous year. Univariate, bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed. Results: A total of 50.2 % of the children cohabited with smokers at home. The mean number of upper respiratory tract events per child living in environments free of tobacco smoke was 2.53 versus 3.52 when one of the household members smoked. For respiratory disease as a whole, an inverse association with age was found [OR = 0.83; (95 % CI: 0.76-0.90)] and a direct association was found with maternal smoking [OR = 4.56 (95 % CI; 1.84-11.34)]. With upper respiratory tract disease, the OR was 1.4 if the mother smoked 11-20 cigarettes/day, and was 1.9 if the number of cigarettes was > 20. With lower respiratory diseases, the odds ratio was 3.48 (95 % CI; 2.07-6.06) if the mother smoked. Conclusions: Fifty percent of the children studied were exposed to environmental tobacco smoke in the home. Younger children were at higher risk. The major risk factor for respiratory disease was maternal smoking and the risk increased with the number of cigarettes smoked. Health education is essential to protect children from tobacco smoke exposure