Household Exposure to Secondhand Cigarette Smoke during Pregnancy and Adverse Offspring Health Outcomes in The Gambia: A Cross-Sectional Study

• DOI: 10.21926/rpn.2502006
• Publication Date: 2025-04-08T06:11:17Z
• Authors: Ousman Bajinka; Mamtuti Panneh; Sang Mendy; Amadou Barrow; Haddy Bah; Lamarana Jallow; Jarry Jallow; Kaddy Drammeh; Kaddijatou Kah; Oulimatou Lateef; Mariama A Bah; Isatou K Sillah; Fatoumata Bah; Nyima Ceesay; Mariama Jaiteh; Yurong Tan
• Keywords: Secondhand Smoke; Cross-sectional study; Passive smoking

The adverse effects of maternal passive smoking during pregnancy on offspring health remain understudied in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly Gambia, where smoke-free regulations are limited. To determine the prevalence (MPS) and investigate its associations with outcomes complications Gambia. A cross-sectional study was conducted February 2023 among 401 mothers children under 5 years urban rural regions Data collected through structured interviews verification antenatal care records. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to examine between various outcomes. 18% (72/401). Mothers exposed had significantly higher odds having cleft palate [adjusted OR = 3.39, 95% CI (1.01-11.41), P 0.049] asthma [aOR 3.32, (1.06-10.43), 0.038]. Passive smokers showed an increased tendency toward developing eclampsia 1.24, (0.58-2.66)], although this association not statistically significant. Additionally, 36% participants reported spouses, 20.4% reporting indoor exposure. This reveals significant risks (p 0.03) 0.04) within Gambian context. These findings highlight need for strengthened policies targeted interventions protect pregnant women from secondhand smoke Future prospective studies biochemical validation exposure warranted establish causality long-term impacts.