Secondhand Smoke Exposure
Conditions
Keywords
Tobacco Smoke Pollution, Child, Secondhand Smoking, Patient Education, Perioperative Care
Brief summary
In a single-centre observational before-after study (n=31 parental smokers), a standardized \ 15-minute tobacco-counselling intervention delivered during the paediatric ambulatory pathway significantly increased parental awareness of secondhand-smoke harms (median total score 34→46; p=0.0026). Item-level gains were greatest for perceived anaesthetic risk and misconceptions about tertiary/indirect exposure. Session acceptability was high, but self-reported behavioural change at 30 days was limited. The perioperative consultation is a feasible teachable moment; integration with visual aids, objective exposure measures, structured cessation referral and longitudinal follow-up should be considered to translate awareness into sustained exposure reduction.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALCounselling session
Each enrolled parent received a single, standardized counselling session (\ 15 minutes) delivered in the ambulatory unit by a certified tobacco counsellor. The session followed a fixed script and covered: (1) types of tobacco smoke exposure (primary, secondary and tertiary), (2) health consequences for children with emphasis on perioperative respiratory and anaesthetic risks, (3) practical measures to reduce household exposure (smoke-free home/car rules, behavioural strategies), and (4) brief advice on initial cessation steps and referral options. Structured handouts and signposting to support services were offered when appropriate.
Sponsors
University of Liege
Study design
Observational model
COHORT
Time perspective
PROSPECTIVE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* adult parents who declared current tobacco use and were present at their child's ambulatory surgical visit
Exclusion criteria
* parents absent on the day of surgery * procedures postponed * explicit refusal to participate
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 60-points score parental awareness | 4 hours | The primary outcome was change in parental awareness measured by a six-item questionnaire (each item scored 0-10; total range 0-60) administered at baseline (arrival), immediately after counselling, and at 30 days by telephone. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Smoking changes | 30 days | Self-reported changes in smoking behaviour at 30 days |
Countries
Belgium
Outcome results
None listed