Prevalence Of And Factors Related To Tobacco Smoking In Children With Asthma

Aim: In this study, we aimed to determine the prevalence of smoking and factors related in children followed up with asthma. Method: We enrolled subjects aged 12 to 18 years diagnosed with asthma in our department. Data about age, sex, education, duration of follow up, parent age and education, family income, number of households, smoking history by any of the household members was recorded. Moreover, the subject was questioned about his own and friends’ regular or ever use of cigarette, electronic cigarette or waterpipe during the outpatient examination and when the parent was not in the room. After the survey, Asthma Control Test was administered to the patients and the pulmonary function test was performed. Results: Mean age of the 185 subjects(49.7% male) enrolled was 14.63+1.77 years. Prevalence of reported tobacco product use regularly was 14.6% and the prevalence of smoking was 12.4%. Mean duration of smoking was 3.56 +2.04 years. Mean age of the smokers was lower than non-smokers (p=0.001). Risk of smoking increased as the level of parental education decreased (p=0.008,p=0.024). Smoking by an household member significantly increased the risk of smoking in the asthmatic children (p=0.003). Presence of a smoking friend significantly increased the risk of smoking (p<0.001). Asthma control was significantly worse in the smoking group (p=0.034) (Table 1-2). Conclusion: Tobacco smoking was more common in children with asthma compared to the whole population and it is associated with poor asthma control. Therefore, it is vital to assess smoking history in pediatric asthma clinics and provide required cessation information.