Self exposure to secondhand smoke among prenatal smokers, abstainers, and nonsmokers

PURPOSE: Prenatal smoking cessation will not eliminate health risks if women continue to be exposed to passive smoking. This study compared the risks of secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure for low-income prenatal nonsmokers, abstainers, and smokers. METHODS: A questionnaire was administered to 225 pregnant women. Exposure to six sources of SHS was compared across smoking groups using chi-square and multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: In adjusted analyses, patterns of SHS exposure were consistent. Abstainers were at lower risk of exposure than smokers for all sources except for having a partner who smoked. Abstainers were at higher risk of exposure than nonsmokers for most sources. For example, 11.7% of nonsmokers were exposed to < 4 hours of SHS daily compared with 33.3% of abstainers (adjusted odds ratio = .32, 95% confidence interval = .12-.88). Mean number of exposures for nonsmokers, abstainers, and smokers were 1.4, 2.7, and 4.2, respectively (p < .001). DISCUSSION: Interventions need to address the full range of health risks posed by cigarette smoke exposure during pregnancy.