The Prevalence of Secondhand Smoke and Its Associated Factors among Adults Residing in the Low Income Residence, Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia

Worldwide, 40% of children, 33% and 35% of male and female non-smokers respectively, were regularly exposed to second-hand smoke indoors. The practice to avoid second hand smoke at home are mostly individual-driven although in public places SHS can be executed by laws and policies such as gazetted smoke-free zones. A cross sectional study was conducted at Flat Bukit Kecil, Kuala Terengganu involving 211 respondents. Self-administered questionnaire was used and data were analysed. Descriptive statistics and Pearson chi square were employed. Findings revealed significant associations between socio demographic factors; gender (p=0.002), ethnicity (p=0.006), and occupational status (p=0.014) with SHS exposure. SHS exposure was also found to be significantly associated with respondents’ vaping (p=0.035) and smoking status (p<0.001), and respondents with existing tobacco related morbidity (p=0.040). In conclusion, the prevalence of SHS among adult residents in Flat Bukit Kecil, Kuala Terengganu (57.8%) was higher in comparison with other local studies. Restaurants were found to be the most common place of SHS exposure followed by workplace and home. In general, the residents demonstrated poor attitude and practice towards SHS whilst knowledge was good on SHS. Malay smoker residents, aged above 40 years old, employed, allowed guests smoking inside the house and had a family history of tobacco related diseases were more likely to be exposed to SHS than its counterpart.   Keywords: adults, KAP, low income residence, SHS