Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behavior in Avoiding Secondhand Smoke Exposure Among Non-Smoking Employed Women with Higher Education in Jordan

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

Huda Gharaibeh³  Linda Haddad⁴  Sukaina Alzyoud¹  Omar El-Shahawy²  Nesrin Abu Baker³ 

[1] School of Nursing, Hashemite University, Amman, Postal Code 13133, Jordan; E-Mail:;General Medical Management, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Postal Code 11355, Egypt; E-Mail:;School of Nursing, Jordan University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 3030, Irbid, Postal Code 22110, Jordan; E-Mails:;Institute for Drug and Alcohol Studies, School of Nursing, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA

关键词: secondhand smoke;    Jordan;    higher education;    women;    socioeconomic status;   

DOI  :  10.3390/ijerph8114207

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

Secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure is a serious public health threat worldwide; in the developing world there are less serious efforts towards controlling women’s and children’s exposure to SHS. Knowledge, attitudes and avoidance practices among Jordanian women have never been thoroughly studied. The purpose of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and avoidance behavior towards SHS exposure among employed Jordanian women with higher education.

A survey was conducted among employed Jordanian women at two universities. A total of 209 women were included in the analysis. Two questionnaires regarding SHS exposure were used to measure knowledge, attitudes and avoidance practices.

Most respondents were regularly exposed to SHS in various locations during daily life, even though they were very knowledgeable about the dangers of SHS exposure for women and children. However, the subject’s attitudes and avoidance behavior did not reflect the level of knowledge about SHS risks. The results suggests there is a large discrepancy between SHS exposure, knowledge, attitudes and avoidance behavior among highly educated Jordanian women that is likely influenced by culture and traditional gender roles. Public health initiatives are needed in Jordan to address public policy, institutional practices and to empowerment of women to reduce SHS exposure.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2011 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland