RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Second-hand smoke exposure and mitigation strategies among home visitation workers
JF Tobacco Control
JO Tob Control
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd
SP 250
OP 254
DO 10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2011-050133
VO 22
IS 4
A1 Robyn R Keske
A1 Vaughan W Rees
A1 Ilan Behm
A1 Brianna M Wadler
A1 Alan C Geller
YR 2013
UL http://tobaccocontrol.bmj.com/content/22/4/250.abstract
AB Objectives Protection of workers from second-hand smoke (SHS) in occupational settings is an important policy priority, yet little attention has been given to SHS protection for home visitation health workers, who number almost 2 million in the USA. Self-reported SHS exposure, SHS mitigation strategies and suggestions for further SHS exposure reduction approaches were obtained from home visitation health workers in Massachusetts. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted among Massachusetts Early Intervention workers (N=316) at their state-wide conference in April 2010. Results Eighty-three per cent of respondents reported at least 1 hour per month of SHS exposure, and 16% reported at least 11 hours per month. Nevertheless, only 22% of workers counselled clients on maintaining a smoke-free home. Fewer than 30% of workers had ever voiced concerns to their employing agency, and just 12% had raised their concerns directly with clients. Only 14% stated that their agency had rules designed to protect workers from SHS. Conclusions SHS exposure occurs frequently among home visitation health workers. The data point to a substantial population who are not protected from SHS exposure by formal policies.