Abstract
We examined nonsmoking parents’ concerns about child thirdhand smoke exposure (THSe) and their likelihood of implementing remediation strategies based on hypothetical handwipe nicotine (HN) levels, a proxy for children’s THSe levels. Parents (N=245) of 0-11-year-old children were told that “low” and “high” HN levels were 10ng/wipe and 200ng/wipe, respectively. Parents reported higher mean concern that THSe would affect their child’s health (M=2.3, SD=1.1) and were more likely to implement THSe remediation strategies (M=2.7, SD=0.7) when presented with high HN levels compared to low HN levels (M=1.5, SD=1.0, p<0.001, and M=2.0, SD=1.0, p<0.001, respectively). The top three endorsed remediation strategies for high and low HN levels were deep cleaning or professionally cleaning the home (78.8% and 63.7%) and not allowing smokers to smoke in the home (72.7% and 67.3%) and car (72.7% and 67.3%). Given nonsmoking parents’ concerns about THSe-related health risks, THSe education is needed among nonsmoking households with children.
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Recommended Citation
Mahabee-Gittens, E. Melinda; Matt, Georg E.; Stone, Lara; Hill, Madelyn J.; and Merianos, Ashley L.
(2024)
"Perceived Health Concerns of Child Thirdhand Smoke Exposure and Potential Remediation Strategies Among Nonsmoking Parents of Young Children,"
Health Behavior Research:
Vol. 7:
No.
4.
https://doi.org/10.4148/2572-1836.1263
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