Naowarut CharoencaNipapun KungskulnitiMathuros TipayamongkholgulDusit SujiraratSorasak LohchindaratJeremiah MockStephen Lorin HamannMahidol UniversityCenter of Excellence on Environmental Health and ToxicologyQueen Sirikit National Institute of Child HealthCenter for the Study of Communication-DesignTobacco Control Research and Knowledge Management Center2018-10-192018-10-192013-03-22Tobacco Induced Diseases. Vol.11, No.1 (2013)161796252-s2.0-84875076222https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/32428Background: The impact of secondhand smoke (SHS) on Southeast Asian children's health has been assessed by a limited number of studies. The purpose of this study was to determine whether in Thailand, pre- and postnatal exposure to SHS is associated with acute lower respiratory conditions in young children. Methods. We conducted a case control study of 462 children under age five admitted with acute lower respiratory illnesses, including asthma and pneumonia, at a major hospital in Bangkok. We selected 462 comparison controls from the well-child clinic at the hospital and matched them by sex and age. We used a structured questionnaire to collect information about exposure to SHS and other factors. We conducted bivariate and multivariate analyses to identify risk factors for acute lower respiratory conditions. Results: The number of cigarettes smoked at home per day by household members was significantly greater among cases. A greater number of household caregivers of cases held and carried children while smoking as compared to controls (26% versus 7%, p <0.05). Cases were more likely to have been exposed to SHS in the household (adjusted OR = 3.82, 95% CI = 2.47-5.9), and outside (adjusted OR = 2.99, 95% CI = 1.45-6.15). Parental lower educational level and low household income were also associated with respiratory illnesses in Thai children under five. Conclusions: Thai children who are exposed to SHS are at nearly 4 times greater risk of developing acute lower respiratory conditions. Continued effort is needed in Thailand to eliminate children's exposure to SHS, especially at home. © 2013 Charoenca et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.Mahidol UniversityMedicineSocial SciencesArticleSCOPUS10.1186/1617-9625-11-7