Exposure to Environmental Tobacco Smoke in Relation to Behavioral, Emotional, Social and Health Indicators of Slovak School Children

Ludmila Sevcikova, Jana Babjakova, Jana Jurkovicova, Martin Samohyl, Zuzana Stefanikova, Erika Machacova, Diana Vondrova, Etela Janekova, Katarina Hirosova, Alexandra Filova, Michael Weitzman and Lubica Argalasova
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Ludmila Sevcikova: Institute of Hygiene, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Bratislava, 813 72, Slovakia
Jana Babjakova: Institute of Hygiene, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Bratislava, 813 72, Slovakia
Jana Jurkovicova: Institute of Hygiene, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Bratislava, 813 72, Slovakia
Martin Samohyl: Institute of Hygiene, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Bratislava, 813 72, Slovakia
Zuzana Stefanikova: Institute of Hygiene, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Bratislava, 813 72, Slovakia
Erika Machacova: Institute of Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Bratislava, 813 72, Slovakia
Diana Vondrova: Institute of Hygiene, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Bratislava, 813 72, Slovakia
Etela Janekova: Institute of Hygiene, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Bratislava, 813 72, Slovakia
Katarina Hirosova: Institute of Hygiene, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Bratislava, 813 72, Slovakia
Alexandra Filova: Institute of Hygiene, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Bratislava, 813 72, Slovakia
Michael Weitzman: Institute of Hygiene, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Bratislava, 813 72, Slovakia
Lubica Argalasova: Institute of Hygiene, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Bratislava, 813 72, Slovakia

IJERPH, 2018, vol. 15, issue 7, 1-13

Abstract: Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure has been shown in general as a major environmental risk factor and deserves attention in vulnerable population groups. The aim of the project is to analyze the relationships among the ETS and behavior and health in 6−15-year-old children in Slovakia. The status of physical and mental health of children in relation to exposure to tobacco smoke was examined in a representative group of 1478 school children. The methods used, included anonymous questionnaires filled in by parents, Columbia Impairment Scale (CIS), Behavior Problem Index (BPI) and anthropometry. The prevalence of ETS exposure is the highest in the capital (27%) and southern cities. A significant association was found between ETS and age, socio-economic status, incompleteness of the family, level of mother’s education and a higher prevalence of respiratory diseases (26.7%). The relationships of ETS with emotional (CIS scores ≥ 16) and behavioral functions (BPI score ≥ 14) were significant in children exposed to mother’s or father’s smoking at home. In the multivariate analysis these associations were not significant; the factors such as income and completeness of the family were dominant. The results showed mostly the predominant impact of social factors on the physical and mental health status of Slovak school children.

Keywords: Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS); Slovak school children; mental health; physical health; Columbia Impairment Scale; Behavioral Problem Index (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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