Parental risk perceptions of child exposure to tobacco smoke

Abstract

BackgroundTobacco smoke exposure harms children and adults. Yet, 40% of children worldwide are exposed to tobacco smoke in their homes. Such widespread parental failure to protect children is puzzling, and may be related to risk perceptions. No consensus exists about how to measure parental risk perceptions of tobacco smoke exposure.MethodsThe objective of this research was to study Parental Risk Perceptions of child Exposure to Tobacco Smoke (PRETS) using various dimensions of risk perceptions: likelihood of harm, susceptibility to harm, and severity of harm. We aimed to estimate PRETS and identify correlates of PRETS, and assess the association between PRETS, parental smoking status, and home smoking behaviors. We conducted 132 face-to-face interviews with parents of infants.ResultsParents who smoked regularly believed that infant tobacco smoke exposure was less dangerous than did other parents (p = .0158). Birthplace of parent was significantly associated with risk perception (p = .0019); parents of Russian origin believed the overall risk to be less than did those born elsewhere. Smoking status, ethnicity, and employment status were associated with smoking in the home. The relationship between smoking behavior in the home and risk perceptions was complex, and may have been modified by ethnicity.ConclusionsParental risk perceptions concerning child exposure to tobacco smoke are associated with smoking behavior and ethnicity. Understanding how to measure risk perceptions, and identifying risk perception dimensions which differ between families with and without home smoking bans, may contribute to the development of effective interventions to protect children from the harmful effects of tobacco smoke exposure.

Developing a Broadly Applicable Measure of Risk Perception

“…Without exception, all of these studies used measures of “concern” or “worry” regarding a risk. Seven studies (9%) measured risk perception following the traditionally accepted definition of risk, including separate items to measure probability & consequences (e.g., Matthew et al., ; Rosen & Kostjukovsky, ; Yang, ). Probability was assessed with one or more items asking about the “chances,” “likelihood,” or “probability” of realizing a risk.…”

Parental receptivity to child biomarker testing for tobacco smoke exposure: A qualitative study

“…Another study found that beliefs about third-hand smoke are associated with home smoking rules [50]. Parental risk perceptions have been shown to be associated with smoking behavior in homes with children in some studies but not others [51]. Unsurprisingly, heavier smoking is known to be associated with higher exposure of children [52].…”

Persepsi Sosial Tentang Stunting Di Kabupaten Tangerang

“…Kekosongan wacana tentang stunting maupun balita pendek saat iniyang masih terbatas pada aspek fisik sematadapat menyebabkan ibu-ibu mengabaikan dalam memantau tinggi badan anak balita. Penelitian menyimpulkan adanya korelasi yang konsisten antara perilaku kesehatan dengan persepsi terhadap adanya ancaman penyakit sehingga persepsi risiko menjadi salah satu konsep kunci dalam memprediksi perilaku kesehatan keluarga (L. Rosen & Kostjukovsky, 2015) maupun masyarakat (Brewer et al, 2007). Sementara pengetahuan menjadi faktor berpengaruh dalam membentuk persepsi (Slovic, 1986), maka penggunaan saluran komunikasi yang efektif dapat menambah pengetahuan dan menjangkau kelompok target menjadi salah satu tulang punggung untuk mendidik masyarakat menghindari hal-hal yang tidak diinginkan (Boyd & Furgal, 2018;L.…”