Trends and Risk Factors of Secondhand Smoke Exposure in Nonsmoker Pregnant Women in Wisconsin, 2011-2016

Shivani Garg, MD, MS; Maria Mora Pinzon, MD, MS

WMJ. 2019;118(3):132-134.

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Abstract

Background: Secondhand smoke exposure can lead to serious health effects in vulnerable populations, including pregnant women. Studies report lower birth weight in pregnant women exposed to secondhand smoke.

Methods: We examined trends and risk factors of secondhand smoke exposure during pregnancy among nonsmoker pregnant women in Wisconsin from 2011 to 2016 using data extracted from the Wisconsin Interactive Statistics on Health (WISH) query system.

Results: There has been a decrease in overall trends of secondhand smoke exposure in pregnant women during the study period, with higher risk among pregnant teens, minority populations, and women with a lower education level.

Conclusion: To improve pregnancy and birth outcomes, future prospective and preventive studies should target groups with a higher risk of secondhand smoke exposure to quantify the risk and limit exposure.

Author Affiliations: Department of Medicine-Rheumatology Division, University of Wisconsin-Madison (Garg); Community Academic Aging Research Network (CAARN), University of Wisconsin-Madison (Pinzon).
Corresponding Author: Shivani Garg, MD, MS, #4122, Department of Medicine-Rheumatology Division, MFCB, 1685 Highland Ave, Madison, WI 53705; email sgarg@medicine.wisc.edu.
Acknowledgement: This work was conducted as part of a class project in the Population Health Program. We would like to thank Patrick Remington, MD, MPH, for his advice and guidance in designing and analyzing the data for this project.
Funding/Support: None declared.
Financial Disclosures: None declared.

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