ORIGINAL INVESTIGATION Status of Exposure to Second-Hand Smoke at Home in Children under Five Years of Age: An Example from Ankara Province

OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to investigate smoking status of households having children under 5 years of age and any changes in their smoking habits after the enforcement of the anti-tobacco Law Nb. 4207 and after the birth of the child based on the records of two Family Health Centres in Ankara. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Within the scope of this cross-sectional study, 192 houses, in which 228 children under five years of age were living, were evaluated. Data were collected via face-to-face interview. Data collection form included information regarding socio-demographic characteristics, health status, smoking habits, status of exposure to second-hand smoke. Data transfer to the computer and data analyses were performed using the SPSS 15.0 statistical package program. RESULTS: According to the statements of the study participants, the rate of smoking in the balcony, kitchen, toilet-bathroom, and rooms of the house decreased after the enforcement of the anti-tobacco Law Nb. 4207. Similar decrease was valid also for working environment. The decrease in the rate of smoking was the least in “Balconies ” at both home and working environments. Birth of a child was also a factor that decreased the rate of smoking. A decrease was observed in almost all parts (bedroom, kitchen, balcony, and toilet-bathroom) of the houses after birth of a child. CONCLUSION: Exposure to second-hand smoke at homes, where children under the age of five years were living, could not be com-pletely (100%) prevented. Health care workers ’ persistent study on this issue may contribute to the awareness of parents in preventing exposure to second-hand smoke. KEY WORDS: Comprehensive tobacco control law, exposure to second-hand smoke, indoor environmen