Accuracy of self-reported smoking and secondhand smoke exposure in the US workforce: the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys.
OBJECTIVE
Occupational health studies often rely on self-reported secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure. This study examines the accuracy of self-reported tobacco use and SHS exposure.


METHODS
Data on serum cotinine, self-reported tobacco use, and SHS exposure for US workers were extracted from three National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (n = 17,011). Serum cotinine levels were used to classify workers into SHS exposure categories. The percent agreement between self-reported tobacco use and SHS exposure with the cotinine categories was calculated.


RESULTS
Workers reporting tobacco use were 88% accurate whereas workers reporting work, home, or home+work exposures were 87% to 92% accurate. Workers reporting no SHS exposure were only 28% accurate.


CONCLUSIONS
Workers accurately reported their smoking status and workplace-home SHS exposures, but substantial numbers reporting "no exposures" had detectable levels of cotinine in their blood, indicating exposure to SHS.
Arheart
Kristopher L
KL
Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Fla 33136, USA. KArheart@med.miami.edu
Lee
David J
DJ
Fleming
Lora E
LE
LeBlanc
William G
WG
Dietz
Noella A
NA
McCollister
Kathryn E
KE
Wilkinson
James D
JD
Lewis
John E
JE
Clark
John D
JD
Davila
Evelyn P
EP
Bandiera
Frank C
FC
Erard
Michael J
MJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003367:Cotinine / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000032:analysis / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012647:Self-Assessment; D012907:Smoking / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution / Q000032:analysis; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution; D003367:Cotinine