[Association between socioeconomic determinants and environmental tobacco smoke exposure in children]

Abstract

Objective: To assess the association between exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) and different socioeconomic determinants among Spanish children.

Method: We analyzed the data of 5495 children included in the 2011-2012 Spanish National Health Survey. We estimated the prevalence of exposure to ETS and adjusted logistic regression models to identify variables related to exposure to ETS: total exposure and exposure in the home in addition to ETS exposure in enclosed public places/transport.

Results: Total exposure to ETS among children aged 15 and younger was 11.8%, 11.5% of whom were exposed at home and 0.8% in enclosed public places/transport. The prevalence odds ratio (POR) of exposure at home increased with age (6-9 years: 2.19; 10-14 years: 2.28), in children with parents of low or medium education levels (1.97 and 1.29), of social class IV-VI (1.42), among those living in a household with a composition other than a "couple with children" (1.43), and in smaller-sized homes (1.39). Total exposure results were similar to home exposure results.

Conclusion: The prevalence of ETS is higher among children younger than 15 years with a more difficult economic situation. These inequalities must be considered in the establishment and development of public health policies.

Keywords: Children; Desigualdades en salud; Determinantes socioeconómicos; Environmental tobacco smoke exposure; Exposición al humo ambiental del tabaco; Health inequalities; Niñas; Niños; Prevalence; Prevalencia; Socioeconomic determinants.