Prevalence and determinants of second-hand tobacco smoking in Pakistan

Background: Exposure  to  second-hand  tobacco  smoke  is  a  public  health  problem  in  countries  with  high  prevalence  of  active  smoking  such  as  Pakistan.  However,  few  studies  have  assessed  the  prevalence  and  risk  factors  for  exposure  to  second-hand tobacco smoke. Aims: To estimate the prevalence and factors associated with exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke in Pakistan.Methods: This study used data from the 2017–2018 Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey to calculate the prevalence and determinants of second-hand tobacco smoke exposure. Sociodemographic characteristics, family size and exposure to  media  by  the  respondents  were  the  independent  variables.  The  chi-square  test  and  logistic  regression  analyses  were  used to evaluate the relationship between exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke and the independent variables.hy9Results: The  survey  included  61  940  adults,  of  which  30  027  (48.5%)  were  males  and  31  913  (51.5%)  females.  The  overall  prevalence of exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke was 34.3%: 35.6% among males and 33.2% among females. Higher education level and rural residence were significantly positively associated with exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke among  both  sexes.  Having  a  radio  was  inversely  associated  with  exposure  while  having  a  television  was  positively  associated  with  exposure  among  both  sexes.  Large  family  size  was  inversely  associated  with  exposure.  Currently  and  previously married females had significantly greater risk of exposure than never-married females.Conclusion: Tailored  health  interventions  and  policies  are  needed  that  target  populations  at  high-risk  of  exposure  to  second-hand  tobacco  smoke.  Strict  smoking  bans  in  public  places  should  be  implemented  to  limit  exposure  to  second-hand tobacco smoke in Pakistan.