Objective The paper describes the pattern of exposure to
second-hand smoke (SHS) at home among the adult population
of Vietnam and examines associated socio-demographic
factors.
Methods A total of 11,142 households were selected for
this survey using a two-phase sampling design analogous
with three-stage stratified cluster sampling. The dependent
variable was the status of exposure to SHS at home.
Independent variables included gender, age, occupation,
asset-based wealth quintile, ethnicity, marital status, residence.
Logistic regression modelling was performed to
examine the association with relevant factors of patterns of
exposure to second-hand smoke among non-smokers.
Results Of adults aged 15 years and above (representing
approximately 47 million people) 73.1% reported they
were exposed to SHS at home at least monthly. Considering
non-smokers only, the prevalence of exposure to
SHS at home was 67.6% (equivalent to approximately 33
million non-smokers). The significant correlates of the
status of exposure to SHS at home among non-smokers
were female gender, ethnic minority, low education, and
lack of smoking restriction at home.
Conclusion The study showed that a high percentage of
people are exposed to second-hand smoke at home. Disadvantaged
people were more likely than the better-off to
be exposed to SHS at home.