Year : 2022

Volume : Volume 13

Issue : Issue 2

Address for correspondence :
Manish Kumar
manishrr87@gmail.com

Abstract

Background: Pregnant women’s exposure to Secondhand Smoke (SHS) is an emerging problem in several low and middle-income countries,
jeopardizing ongoing efforts to improve maternal and child health. In India exposure to SHS among pregnant women is highly prevalent. The
present study aimed to assess knowledge, attitude, and behavior related to SHS exposure among non-smoking pregnant women with smoking
husbands in Bhagalpur, Bihar. Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in Jawahar Lal Nehru Medical
College and Hospital, Bhagalpur, Bihar. Apre-tested validated close-ended questionnaire was used. Data were collected from 160 non-smoking
pregnant women visiting Dental Out Patient Department from July to October 2021. The questionnaire consisted of 18 close-ended questions
and for knowledge, attitude, and behavior questions response to items was placed on a 3-point Likert scale. Results: The mean age of the
study participants was 25 ± 3.9 years with a minimum of 18 years and maximum of 37 years. About half (48.1%) of the pregnant women were
in their third trimester. About 41.9% of pregnant women reported that their husbands consumed <5 cigarettes/bidis/day. About 23.1% of the
participants reported SHS exposure from husbands and 45.6% reported daily exposure to SHS. About 41.9% pregnant women were not aware
about SHS and more than 50% of the participants exhibited favorable attitude and behavior toward avoidance of SHS. Conclusion: Knowledge
regarding SHS exposure among non-smoking pregnant women with smoking husbands was poor. Inspite of having favorable attitude and
behavior toward avoidance of smoke exposure, majority of women felt helpless in refraining their husbands from smoking.
Keywords: Attitudes, Behavior, Knowledge, Pregnant women, Secondhand smoke.