title: Characteristics of women exposed and unexposed to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) in a general population sample of North Italy (Po River Delta epidemiological study).
abstract: To define qualitative and quantitative categories of exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) and to assess possible differences for life-style factors between exposed and unexposed women, we studied 867 nonsmoking women (8-73 aged), selected from a general population sample living in the Po Delta area (near Venice, North Italy). Information was collected by a standardized questionnaire. ETS exposure at home, at work or elsewhere was considered. There was a prevalence of ETS exposure of 46% in the whole sample; the rate had a negative association with age. Exposure to ETS occurred more frequently at home, either singly (56%) or in combination with school/work and other places (75%). Exposed women were significantly younger, taller and lighter than those unexposed. Logistic regression on 20+ aged women showed that single-separated-widowed, workers, women living in a rental house, and women with a central forced air heating were significantly more exposed to ETS. Crowding index (n inhabitants/n rooms of the house) was significantly higher in those exposed. These results indicate that ETS exposure is quite frequent in Italian women and that some life-style factors (e.g. marital status or occupational status or some home characteristics), should be considered in the study of relationship between passive smoking and respiratory health.
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental and Diagnostic Medicine, University of Ferrara, Italy. fe0127kl@fe.nettuno.it
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Simoni
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Carrozzi
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Baldacci
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pedreschi
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Di Pede
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Angino
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Pistelli
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Viegi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019570:Inhalation Exposure; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008019:Life Style; D008875:Middle Aged; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000209:etiology; D012016:Reference Values; D012307:Risk Factors; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution
chemical_list: D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution