Secondhand smoke exposure (SHS) and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in Chinese never smokers in Hong Kong.
OBJECTIVE
The evidence on the effect of secondhand smoke (SHS) on Health Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) is limited. We examined the relation between SHS and HRQoL among Chinese in Hong Kong.


METHODS
Adult never smokers from a probability sample of three cross-sectional waves (2010, 2012, 2013) of The Hong Kong Family and Health Information Trends Survey who completed the Cantonese-version of Short-Form 12 Health Survey Questionnaire (SF12v2) were included in the data analysis conducted in 2014. Models were used to examine associations of SHS with SF12 domains and summary scores of Physical (PCS12) and Mental Component (MCS12) with subgroups analysis by SHS locations.


RESULTS
After adjustments, SHS was associated with lower scores on all SF12 domains except physical functioning. PCS12 (regress coefficient=-0.76, 95% CI -1.34 to -0.17) and MCS12 (regress coefficient=-1.35, 95% CI -2.06 to -0.64) were lower in those with SHS exposure than those non-exposed. Those exposed to SHS in outdoor public places had lower scores on most SF12 domains and PSC12 and MCS12. SHS exposure in one's home and workplace was associated with lower scores on role physical, body pain and role emotional while SHS exposure in friends' homes was additionally associated with lower social functioning and mental health scores. Lower MCS12 was associated with SHS exposure at all locations except one's home.


CONCLUSIONS
Our study showed that SHS exposure, particularly in outdoor public places, was associated with decreased HRQoL. It can provide new evidence for stronger smoke-free policies on public places and promoting smoke-free homes.
School of Nursing, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
Jing
J
Chen
School of Nursing, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
Man-Ping
MP
Wang
School of Public Health, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
Xin
X
Wang
Center for Community-Based Research, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute/Department of Social and behavioral Sciences, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Kasisomayajula
K
Viswanath
School of Public Health, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
Tai-Hing
TH
Lam
School of Nursing, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
Sophia S
SS
Chan
D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006304:Health Status; D006723:Hong Kong / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011788:Quality of Life; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D061845:Smoke-Free Policy; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000517:prevention & control
D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution
Chinese; Health related quality of life; Never smokers; Secondhand smoke exposure