BACKGROUND: Exposure to secondhand smoke (SHS) poses serious health risks as direct smoking. However, there is insufficient data on SHS prevalence and its correlates in tobacco growing regions.
METHODS: We used the Zambia 2021 Global Youth Tobacco Survey data to assess the prevalence of SHS and its associated factors on 1,972 in-school adolescents in tobacco growing regions of Zambia. Data analysis was conducted using IBM SPSS Statistics Version 20. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression were performed to produce adjusted odds ratios and their 95% confidence intervals.
RESULTS: A total of 1.972 students (45.7% males and 54.3% females) from tobacco growing regions participated in the survey. The study showed that 61.7% of students were exposed to SHS. Approximately 36.6% were exposed at home, 41.2% in enclosed public places and 46.6% in outdoor public places. Compared to students aged 17 years+, students < 12 years had higher odds of SHS exposure at home (AOR=1.61, 95% CI [1.51, 1.72]), enclosed public places (AOR =1.51, 95% CI [1.41,1.61]), and outdoor public places (AOR=1.67, 95% CI [1.56,1.78]). Those with most of closest friends that smoked were 29% more likely to be exposed to SHS (AOR =1.29, 95% CI [1.22,1.37]). Those that favored banning smoking inside enclosed public places were 19% more likely to be exposed to SHS at home (AOR= 1.19, 95% CI [1.16,1.21]), 40% more likely to be exposed in enclosed public places (AOR=1.40, 95% CI [1.37,1.43]) and 39% more likely to be exposed in outdoor public places (AOR 1.30, 95% CI [1.36, 1.42]).
CONCLUSIONS: The study revealed that SHS exposure remains a serious public health problem in Zambia. This signifies poor enforcement of the existing statutory instrument (SI) No. 39 of 2008 under the Local Government Act which prohibits smoking in public places. There is need to review existing tobacco control policies and ensure enhanced enforcement.