Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
Second Plenetary Health and Family Medicine Congress, İzmir, Türkiye, 5 - 06 Haziran 2024, ss.27-28, (Özet Bildiri)
Introduction: Thirdhand Smoke (THS) refers to residual nicotine and other chemicals that remain on surfaces and in dust after tobacco has been smoked. Each year, approximately 22% of infants and children are exposed to THS in their homes. However, in many clinical situations, there isn't always the opportunity for an in-depth smoking cessation interview. This is where Very Brief Advice (VBA) on smoking becomes valuable. VBA is an evidence-based intervention designed to increase quit attempts among patients who smoke.
This case report highlights the exposure to THS in a two-month-old infant during a routine pediatric check-up and the subsequent behavioral changes in the infant’s father, who is a long-term smoker.
Case Presentation: A two-month-old infant was brought to the clinic for a routine well-baby check-up. The infant's father, in his 40s with a 20-year history of smoking, was present during the examination. During the visit, the physician detected the smell of tobacco smoke emanating from the father. Sensing the physician’s awareness, the father confessed, “I have been trying to quit smoking since our baby was born, but it is not easy.” Acknowledging the father's effort to quit smoking, the physician using VBA inquired about the steps he was taking to reduce his infant’s exposure to smoke. The father responded that he smoked on the balcony with the windows open to ventilate the area, washed his mouth after smoking, and refrained from smoking inside the car when the baby was present. The physician then informed the father about THS and its potential risks, to which the father admitted that he was hearing about THS for the first time. During next visit, the father proactively addressed the topic, stating that after learning about THS, he conducted further research and decided to stop smoking inside the home and the car entirely. Furthermore, he expressed his intention to seek assistance from a smoking cessation clinic.
Discussion: The father in this case was unaware of the concept and risks of THS. The physician's brief intervention during the routine pediatric check-up served as a pivotal moment, leading to significant behavioral changes in the father.