Exposure of secondhand smoke in an Urban Elderly Population in Beijing: 2001–2010
METHODS: We conducted two cross-sectional surveys in a representative sample of urban elderly population aged 60 to 95 years in Beijing in 2001 and 2010 respectively. Information on number of cigarettes of SHS exposure per day at home and outside the home, number of smokers at home/office and their relationship with the elderly person, and socio-demographic characteristics was recorded. SHS exposure was defined as exposure to another person’s tobacco smoke at home or outside the home.
RESULTS: A total of 2277 participants (943 male, 1334 female) in 2001 and 2102 participants (848 male, 1254 female) in 2010 completed the survey. The exposure rate (95%CI ) of SHS was 30.5% (28.6%–32.4%) in 2001 and 30.0% (28.1%–32.0%) in 2010. Exposure rate of SHS among male increased from 19.6% (17.1% - 22.2 %) to 21.2% (18.5% - 24.0 %), while that among female decreased from 38.2% (35.6% - 40.8 %) to 36.0% (33.3% - 38.6%) (P > 0.05).SHS was more common in female under 70ys, the exposure rate up to 40.5% (37.2%-43.8%) and 41.6% (37.5%-45.8%) in 2001 and 2010 respectively. Among the exposure of SHS, 87.1% were exposed in 2001and 89.5% were in 2010 at home; Compared with 2001, the SHS exposure among male increased (67.0% vs. 78.9%) at home and decreased at workplace (26.5% vs. 15.0%) (P < 0.05). Main source of SHS changed from spouse (66.5%) in 2001 to off-springs (50.1%) in 2010. This trend is reflected in both genders: SHS exposure of male due to spouses decreased from 29.2 % to 11.1% while that due to off-springs increased from 37.3% in to 68.3%; SHS exposure of female due to the spouses decreased from 80.0% to 49.0% while that due to off-springs increased from 13.9% to 42.8% (P < 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS: The exposure rate of SHS in urban elderly population is still high and showed no clear downward trend. From 2001 to 2010, the exposure rate of SHS among male increased. Male exposed to SHS increased at home and decreased at workplace. Off-springs become a major source of SHS to urban elderly population. These findings have important implications on normative education in persons who lived with elderly people smoking prevention programs.