Parental Smoking and the Risk of Respiratory Symptoms Among Schoolboys in Al-Khobar City, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

The objective of this study was to measure the prevalence of parental smoking and its association with respiratory symptoms among 6- through 15-year-old schoolboys in Al-Khobar City, Saudi Arabia. This was a cross-sectional study. The methodology included the distribution of a self-administered questionnaire, which was completed by the parents of 1482 schoolboys who satisfied the selection criteria of the study. The overall rate of smoking among parents of this sample was 18.2% (32% among fathers and 4% among mothers). There was an increased risk associated with parental smoking and respiratory symptoms among asthmatic and nonasthmatic children. The magnitude of this risk was variable for different respiratory symptoms. The smoking rate among parents of asthmatic children was significantly higher than that of parents of normal children. The logistic regression model showed paternal smoking to be significantly associated with asthmatic children. The study concluded that there is an increased risk of respiratory symptoms among asthmatic and nonasthmatic children because of parental smoking. The smoking rate and trend among fathers and mothers were comparable to those reported earlier, indicating an ongoing problem. Schoolchildren with smoking parents may be better screened for bronchial asthma. Management of children presenting with respiratory symptoms should include an inquiry about exposure to passive smoking. Tobacco smoking should be considered a public health problem with serious implications, and the importation of tobacco should be banned.

• Childhood asthma
• Parental smoking
• Saudi Arabia