Exposure to Secondhand Smoke in the Home and Public areas among Adolescents in Abuja, Nigeria: Tobacco control implications

Abstract

Introduction Secondhand smoke (SHS) causes death and disease among non-smokers. In 2008, the Nigerian Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, passed a comprehensive smoke-free law. This study assessed the baseline prevalence of SHS exposure in the home and at public areas among secondary school students in Abuja, Nigeria during 2008. Methods The 2008 Global Youth Tobacco Survey dataset was analysed for 1399 students in Abuja. Prevalence of support for smoke-free laws in public places as well as of exposure to SHS in the home and at non-home areas (including public spaces) was calculated overall, as well as by population subgroups. Chi-squared test was used to assess statistical significance of within-group differences. Multivariate logistic regression was used to assess significant correlates of SHS exposure and support for smoke-free laws. All analyses were 2-tailed and the level of significance was set at P<0.05. R esults Overall prevalence of SHS exposure in the home was 24.1 % (95%CI: 21.1-27.1) while the prevalence of SHS exposure in non-home areas, including public spaces was 43.0% (95%CI: 36.6-49.4). The odds of exposure to SHS were significantly higher among current smokers as well as students that had ≥1 close friend that smoked. Overall, 55.3% of students supported smoke-free policies in public places. C onclusions This study showed that a substantial proportion of adolescents in Abuja were exposed to SHS in public places in 2008. Monitoring and evaluation of existing smoke-free policies will provide evidence base for strengthening existing measures or introducing new evidence-based interventions to help reduce youth SHS exposure.