Biological and environmental risk factors of children exposed or not to environmental tobacco pollution

Abstract

We aimed to investigate the biological and environmental risk facotrs of children exposed or not to environmental tobacco pollution (ETP). A cross-sectional study with 670 children of both sexes, aged between eight and 12 years, from schools located in Anápolis (GO). We used an adapted questionnaire directed to parents/guardians. The parents of children of the non-exposed to ETP group (NETP) were more educated. The group of children exposed to ETP (EETP) had a higher history of respiratory disease. The EETP resides with a smoker, commonly fathers, who smoke up to 20 cigarretes a day. The EETP lived in houses with fewer windows, less air circulation and more registries of mold. The EETP presents more respiratory diseases and unfavourable socioeconomic conditions. Therefore, there is a need for more care for the exposure and the environment where they live. Health professionals and educators should promote protection, education and stimulate the abandonment of parent smoking.