Tobacco Use Among 1 310 716 Women of Reproductive age (15-49 Years) in 42 Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Secondary Data Analysis From the 2010-2016 Demographic and Health Surveys

Smokeless tobacco consumption among women of reproductive age: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Smokeless tobacco (SLT) poses many negative health impacts. Despite its longstanding presence in societies across the world, the health implications of SLT have only been rigorously studied in recent decades. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to consolidate existing research to provide a comprehensive understanding of the global prevalence of SLT use among women of reproductive age. Relevant articles were extracted from databases such as PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Scopus from their inception until November 11, 2023. Observational studies reporting the number of SLT users among women of reproductive age were included. The quality of the studies was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) tool. The meta-analysis used a random-effects model to determine SLT prevalence, supported by statistical tools like forest plots, I2 statistics, and sensitivity analyses to ensure the accuracy and comprehensiveness of the results. All statistical analyses were performed in R version 4.3. From 10 studies involving 2,053,667 participants, a pooled prevalence for SLT use among women of reproductive age was found to be 9.3% (95% CI: 0.038 to 0.21), with significant heterogeneity among studies (I2 = 100%). Publication bias was suspected among the studies. Sensitivity analysis and subgroup analysis couldn't resolve the heterogeneity. Our analysis shows a significant prevalence of SLT use in women of reproductive age, especially in low socioeconomic and developing countries like India, Pakistan, and Nepal. For women of reproductive age, the use of smokeless tobacco (SLT) can lead to infertility, pregnancy complications, and adverse fetal outcomes, including low birth weight and preterm birth. The results highlight the necessity for specific public health measures and policy changes to decrease SLT consumption among reproductive-age women. Further studies are needed to investigate the reasons behind SLT usage in this group and to assess the impact of intervention strategies, to guide more effective public health initiatives and policies.

Thirdhand smoke beliefs, exposure status and associated factors among young people in China: A cross-sectional study

INTRODUCTION

Thirdhand smoke is an emerging threat to global public health. There is no research on young people's exposure to thirdhand smoke in China. This study aims to investigate the exposure status and beliefs of thirdhand smoke among young Chinese people and provide a reference for policy regarding thirdhand smoke.

METHODS

Data from the 2022 Chinese Resident Psychological and Behavioral Survey were used to select young people aged 15-24 years. A total of 11781 subjects were included in this study. Demographic information, beliefs about thirdhand smoke, and exposure status to thirdhand smoke were investigated.

RESULTS

Among the participants, 47.8% reported being exposed to thirdhand smoke (males: 49.1%, females: 47.0%). Young people living in urban areas (AOR=0.84, 95% CI: 0.77-0.91, p<0.001) and those with a monthly family income >12000 RMB (AOR=0.81, 95% CI: 0.71-0.92, p=0.001) were less likely to be exposed to thirdhand smoke. Young people with junior high school education or higher, and current or former smokers, were more likely to be exposed to thirdhand smoke. There is room for improvement in the beliefs about thirdhand smoke among young people.

CONCLUSIONS

Thirdhand smoke exposure is an issue that should be addressed in public health policy. Young people with low income and current or former smokers are populations that should be mainly focused on in public education and prevention work on thirdhand smoke.

Prevalence of non-communicable diseases and risk factors of pre-eclampsia/eclampsia in four local government areas in Nigeria: a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVES

To assess the prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and risk factors associated with pre-eclampsia and eclampsia (PE/E) in women of reproductive age (WRA) in Nigeria.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional survey was administered to the entire study population. In the point-of-care testing, physical and biochemical measurements were taken in a subset of the participants.

SETTING

The study was conducted in the Ikorodu and Alimosho local government areas (LGAs) in Lagos and the Abuja Municipal Area Council and Bwari LGAs in the Federal Capital Territory.

PARTICIPANTS

Systematic random sampling was used to randomly select and recruit 639 WRA (aged 18-49 years) between May 2019 and June 2019.

OUTCOME MEASURES

Prevalence of select NCDs (hypertension or raised blood pressure, diabetes or raised blood sugar levels, anaemia, truncal obesity and overweight/obesity) and risk factors associated with PE/E (physical activity, fruit and vegetable consumption, alcohol consumption and smoking).

RESULTS

The prevalence of raised blood pressure measured among the WRA was 36.0% (95% CI 31.3% to 40.9%). Approximately 10% (95% CI 7.2% to 13.4%) of participants had raised blood sugar levels. About 19.0% (95% CI 15.3% to 23.2%) of the women had moderate or severe anaemia. Excluding WRA who were pregnant, 51.9% (95% CI 45.7% to 58.0%) of the women were either overweight or obese based on their body mass index. Approximately 58.8% (95% CI 53.8% to 63.6%) of WRA surveyed reported three to five risk factors for developing NCDs and PE/E in future pregnancies.

CONCLUSIONS

The study identified a high prevalence of NCDs and associated PE/E risk factors in surveyed women, signifying the importance of early detection and intervention for modifiable NCD and associated PE/E risk factors in WRA. Further research is necessary to assess the national prevalence of NCDs.

Determinants of cigarette smoking and smoking frequency among women of reproductive age in Nigeria: evidence from a nationwide cross-sectional survey

BACKGROUND

Smoking is a leading cause of avoidable deaths and attributable disability-adjusted life years globally. Yet, the determinants of smoking practices among women are understudied. This study assessed the determinants of smoking and smoking frequency among women of reproductive age in Nigeria.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Data from the 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) were used in this study (n = 41,821). The data were adjusted for sampling weight, stratification, and cluster sampling design. The outcome variables were smoking status and smoking frequency (daily smoking and occasional smoking). The predictor variables included women's socio-demographic and household characteristics. Pearson's chi-squared test was used to evaluate the association between outcome and predictor variables. All variables significant in bivariate analyses were further analysed using complex sample logistics regression. Statistical significance was set at a p-value < 0.05.

RESULTS

The prevalence of smoking among women of reproductive age is 0.3%. The prevalence of smoking frequency is 0.1% (daily) and 0.2% (occasionally). Overall, women aged 25-34 (AOR = 2.13, 95%CI: 1.06-4.29, ρ = 0.034), residing in the South-south region (AOR = 9.45, 95%CI: 2.04-43.72, ρ <0.001), being formerly married (AOR = 3.75, 95%CI: 1.52-9.21, ρ = 0.004), in female-headed households (AOR = 2.56, 95%CI: 1.29-5.08, ρ = 0.007) and owning mobile phones (AOR = 2.10, 95%CI: 1.13-3.90, ρ = 0.020) were more likely to smoke. Whereas female-headed households (AOR = 4.34, 95%CI: 1.37-13.77, ρ = 0.013) and being formerly married (AOR = 6.37, 95%CI: 1.67-24.24, ρ = 0.007) predisposed to daily smoking, age 15-24 (AOR = 0.11, 95%CI: 0.02-0.64, ρ = 0.014) was protective of daily smoking among women. Owning mobile phones (AOR = 2.43, 95%CI: 1.17-5.06, ρ = 0.018) increased the odds of occasional smoking among women.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence rates of smoking and smoking frequency are low among women of reproductive age in Nigeria. Women-centred approaches to tobacco prevention and cessation must become evidence-informed by incorporating these determinants into interventions targeting women of reproductive age in Nigeria.

Pregnant and postnatal women's experiences of interacting with health care providers about their tobacco smoking: a qualitative systematic review

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this review was twofold: (i) to comprehensively identify the best available evidence about the experiences of women who smoked tobacco during pregnancy or postnatally (or both) concerning health care providers' interactions with them about their smoking, when such interactions occurred during contact for prenatal or postnatal health care in any health care setting; and (ii) to synthesize the research findings for recommendations to strengthen health care providers' interventions regarding smoking during pregnancy and smoking during the postnatal period.

INTRODUCTION

Maternal tobacco smoking during pregnancy and maternal tobacco smoking postnatally pose serious health risks for the woman, fetus, and offspring, whereas maternal smoking cessation has beneficial health effects. Given the importance of health care providers' interactions with pregnant and postnatal women for smoking cessation care, it is essential to understand women's experiences of such interactions.

INCLUSION CRITERIA

Studies considered for this review had qualitative research findings about the experiences of women who smoked tobacco during pregnancy or postnatally (or both) in relation to health care providers' interactions with them about their smoking.

METHODS

The review was conducted using the JBI approach to qualitative systematic reviews. Published studies were sought through 6 academic databases (eg, CINAHL, MEDLINE). Unpublished studies were searched in 6 gray literature sources (eg, ProQuest Dissertations and Theses, Google Scholar). Reference lists of retrieved records were also searched. The searches occurred in October and November 2020; no country, language, or date limits were applied. Study selection involved title and abstract screening, full-text examination, and critical appraisal of all studies that met the inclusion criteria for the review. Study characteristics and research findings were extracted from the included studies. Study selection and extraction of findings were conducted by two reviewers independently; differences between reviewers were resolved through consensus. The research findings were categorized, and the categories were aggregated into a set of synthesized findings. The synthesized finding were assigned confidence scores. The categories and finalized synthesized findings were agreed upon by all reviewers.

RESULTS

The 57 included studies varied in qualitative research designs and in methodological quality (from mostly low to high). There were approximately 1092 eligible participants, and 250 credible and unequivocal research findings. The research findings yielded 14 categories and 6 synthesized findings with low to very low confidence scores. Some women who smoked tobacco during pregnancy and some women who smoked tobacco postnatally lacked supportive interactions by health care providers regarding their smoking; other women experienced supportive interactions by health care providers. Women were adversely impacted when health care providers' interactions lacked supportiveness, and were beneficially impacted when interactions were supportive. Women varied in openness to health care providers' interactions regarding their smoking, from not being receptive to being accepting, and some women wanted meaningful health care provider interactions.

CONCLUSIONS

Although confidence in the synthesized findings is low to very low, the evidence indicates that supportive health care provider interactions may facilitate positive smoking behavior change in pregnancy and postnatally. It is recommended that health care providers implement accepted clinical practice guidelines with women who smoke prenatally or postnatally, using an approach that is person-centered, emotionally supportive, engaging (eg, understanding), and non-authoritarian.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION NUMBER

PROSPERO CRD42020178866.

The Understanding of Maternal Smoking among Women who were Smoking or had Quit Smoking during Pregnancy

Background

Maternal tobacco smoking during pregnancy is associated with adverse health effects for the woman, fetus, and child, including such serious effects as preterm birth, low birth weight, stillbirth, and neonatal and sudden infant death. Smoking cessation during pregnancy reduces health risks.

Purpose

In order to support pregnant women to quit smoking, it is essential to know determinants of quitting smoking in pregnancy. The purpose of this research was to examine women's understanding of maternal smoking, in terms of their beliefs, in relation to quitting smoking during pregnancy.

Methods

The study was a cross-sectional survey with anonymous questionnaires. The sample consisted of 161 pregnant and postnatal women who were continuing or had continued to smoke during pregnancy or had quit smoking during pregnancy. Logistic regression was used to determine the impact of women's understanding of maternal smoking on quitting smoking in pregnancy.

Results

A large majority of the women had low to moderate understanding of maternal smoking. Those with higher levels of understanding were more likely to quit smoking during pregnancy than were those with a low level of understanding. Not having children prior to the current pregnancy or childbirth also increased the likelihood of quitting smoking during pregnancy while being without a partner combined with having a longer duration of smoking decreased the likelihood of quitting smoking during pregnancy.

Conclusion

As a modifiable factor, pregnant women's understanding of maternal smoking can be readily targeted with informational interventions in an effort to help them quit smoking.

Sex and macroeconomic differences and trends in early attempts at cigarette smoking among adolescents: findings from 147 countries

BACKGROUND

Most tobacco users initiate smoking during adolescence. Little is known about the global prevalence and trends in early cigarette smoking among adolescents. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of early attempts at cigarette smoking and its change trends among young adolescents.

METHODS

We used data from the Global Youth Tobacco Surveys on adolescents aged 12-16 years, comprising 456,634 participants from 147 countries between 2006 and 2018, to estimate the prevalence of early attempts at cigarette smoking and age distribution at attempt by sex, country income, purchasing power parity (PPP) per capita, and WHO region. We assessed the average annual rate of reduction (AARR) in the prevalence of attempts at cigarette smoking before 12 years of age in 70 countries that had data from three or more surveys completed between 1999 and 2018.

RESULTS

The average prevalence of early attempts at cigarette smoking was 12.2% (95% CI: 10.9-13.5) for boys and 6.7% (95% CI: 5.8-7.6) for girls, with the highest prevalence of 17.4% for boys and 10.7% for girls in the European region. Along with the growth of the national economy, the prevalence of early attempts at cigarette smoking gradually increased in both sexes. A total of 22.9% and 30% of countries had a negative change in AARR for boys and for girls, respectively. The countries with an upward prevalence were mainly located in the Eastern Mediterranean, Southeast Asia, and African regions. The age distribution at first cigarette smoked did not differ substantially between sexes. Notably, the age at first cigarette smoked of 10.7 years for girls was significantly earlier than that of 11.8 years for boys in low-income countries. Among cigarette-smoking adolescents, the average percentage of girls reporting smoking their first cigarette at an age <12 years was 55.7% in Q1 for PPP quintiles, 46.5% in Q2, 40.3% in Q3, 38.4% in Q4, and 34.6% in Q5, and the corresponding prevalence for boys was 46.0% in Q1, 42.8% in Q2, 42.9% in Q3, 43.5% in Q4, and 41.1% in Q5.

CONCLUSIONS

The global prevalence of early attempts at cigarette smoking among adolescents was substantial, with differences by sex and macroeconomic situation, and our findings stress that interventions and policies targeting the first smoking experience are required to prevent the initiation of tobacco use among early adolescents, especially girls in low-income countries.

Toxic effects of smokeless tobacco on female reproductive health: A review

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Smokeless tobacco use can lead to impairments of ovarian function, morphology, oocyte quality and hormonal regulation.

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Use of smokeless tobacco during pregnancy has adverse health effects on both the mother and fetus.

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Exposure to smokeless tobacco in utero has long term health consequences on offspring.

The habitual consumption of tobacco in its various form is widespread and a serious public health issue globally. In particular, the use of smokeless tobacco has increased substantially due to its easy availability and misconception that it is relatively harmless compared to smoking. Tobacco use has been well established from numerous studies as a causative agent of devastating illnesses such as cancer, insulin resistance, hypertension, acute respiratory disease, osteoporosis, etc. Limited but growing evidence have also suggested its role in adversely affecting reproductive capabilities and outcomes in women of reproductive age and during pregnancy. This paper provides an updated review on available literature regarding the negative effects of smokeless tobacco use on female reproductive health, during pregnancy and its adverse consequences on the offspring. Existing data suggests the association between chronic smokeless tobacco use and impairment of ovarian morphology and function, oocyte quality, hormonal perturbations, fetal development and long-term health effects on the fetus. Improved understanding of these issues can contribute to better awareness of the dangers of smokeless tobacco products.