Latest News

  • Home
  • Food & Health
  • Second hand smoke can be dangerous, one of the biggest reasons for still birth
Second hand smoke can be dangerous, one of the biggest reasons for still birth
Tuesday, July 24, 2018 IST
Second hand smoke can be dangerous, one of the biggest reasons for still birth

Exposure to secondhand smoke during pregnancy increases the risk of stillbirth, congenital malformations, low birth-weight and respiratory illnesses.

 
 

Over 50% of pregnant women in developing countries are exposed to second hand smoke, according to a study which found that such exposure causes about 17,000 still births every year in Pakistan alone. Exposure to secondhand smoke during pregnancy increases the risk of stillbirth, congenital malformations, low birth-weight and respiratory illnesses.
 
However, little is known about the extent of secondhand smoke exposure during pregnancy. Researchers from University of York in the UK looked at the number of pregnancies alongside smoking exposure data in 30 developing countries from 2008 to 2013.
 
The analysis revealed that in Armenia, Indonesia, Jordan, Bangladesh and Nepal more than 50% of pregnant women reported exposure to household secondhand smoke. According to the study published in the journal BMJ Tobacco Control, this led to over 10,000 still births in Indonesia alone. Over 40% of all pregnant women in Pakistan are exposed to secondhand smoke - causing 17,000 still births every year
 
In Pakistan only one per cent of still births are attributed to women actively smoking during pregnancy, but for secondhand smoke the figure is seven per cent, largely due to the high numbers of pregnant women exposed to tobacco smoke in the home.
 
In five of the 30 countries, household secondhand smoke exposure was twice as common as active smoking. Researchers said it was predominately male smokers exposing women to secondhand smoke.
 
“This is the first study which provides national estimates for 30 developing countries on secondhand smoke exposure in pregnancy and it reveals a huge problem, a problem which is not being addressed,” said Kamran Siddiqi, from the University of York.
 
 

 
 

“We have shown for the first time that secondhand smoke during pregnancy is far more common than active smoking in developing countries, accounting for more still births than active smoking,” said Siddiqi. “Protecting pregnant women from secondhand smoke exposure should be a key strategy to improve maternal and child health,” he said.
 
Researchers said that the results are based on self-reported surveys and could be subject to underestimation. Further work is needed to develop effective interventions to reduce household exposure to secondhand smoke.

 
 
 
 
 

Related Topics

 
 
 

Trending News & Articles

 Article
12 Early Signs Of Lung Cancer To Never Ignore

Lung cancer is usually not noticeable during the early stages. Most people are diagnosed when the disease is at an advanced stage. According to Cancer.org, it is ...

Recently posted . 7K views . 2 min read
 

 Article
11 Surprising Benefits Of Wood Apple Or Bael Fruit

The health benefits of wood apple include [1] relief from constipation, indigestion, peptic ulcer, piles, respiratory problems, diarrhea, and dysentery. It also b...

Recently posted . 4K views . 2 min read
 

 Article
10 Amazing Benefits Of Bael (Kaitha)

Bael, also known as the “Wood Apple”, is a species native to India. The bael tree is considered to be sacred to the Hindus. A famous drink known as sh...

Recently posted . 4K views . 2 min read
 

 Article
These 7 Remedies Can Remove The Milia (Milk Spots) From Your Face

Do you know what milia are? Milia is a skin condition which causes the appearance of small white hard bumps on the skin which usually appear on the face, neck or ch...

Recently posted . 4K views . 2 min read
 

 
 

More in Food & Health

 Article
7 One Minute Tricks To Lose Weight & Improve Your Health

  Many of us make grand New Year’s resolutions that involve making drastic lifestyle changes and they always            see...

Recently posted. 915 views . 3 min read
 

 Article
Should you take dietary supplements to boost your workout?

  To help cut the confusion, the Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS) at the National Institutes of Health has two new resources to help people...

Recently posted. 704 views . 1 min read
 

 Article
Work it out! Proper exercise may reverse damage to ageing heart

Sedentary ageing can lead to a stiffening of the muscle in the heart’s left ventricle, the chamber that pumps oxygen-rich blood back out to the body.

Recently posted. 768 views . 1 min read
 

 Video
The View from Space



Recently posted . 1K views
 

 Video
The Tourette Syndrome



Recently posted . 875 views
 

 Reviews
17 Ultimate Dhabas In Delhi: EatTreat Bucket List



Recently posted . 1K views . 221 min read
 

 Reviews
Top 5 Best Comforters & Duvets in India



Recently posted . 1K views . 48 min read
 

 Article
Reasons Why Sweet Potatoes Are Good For Diabetes Patients!

Sweet potatoes are very similar to the regular potatoes, but they also show certain differences in terms of taste, sweetness, family, and appearance.

Recently posted. 937 views . 1 min read
 

 Article
Why you need more Vitamin D in the winter

Winter is upon us and so is the risk of vitamin D deficiency and infections. Vitamin D, which is made in our skin following sunlight exposure and also found in oily...

Recently posted. 759 views . 3 min read
 

 
 
 

   Prashnavali

  Thought of the Day

"I am not a product of my circumstances. I am a product of my decisions."
Stephen Covey

Be the first one to comment on this story

Close
Post Comment
Shibu Chandran
2 hours ago

Serving political interests in another person's illness is the lowest form of human value. A 70+ y old lady has cancer.

November 28, 2016 05:00 IST
Shibu Chandran
2 hours ago

Serving political interests in another person's illness is the lowest form of human value. A 70+ y old lady has cancer.

November 28, 2016 05:00 IST
Shibu Chandran
2 hours ago

Serving political interests in another person's illness is the lowest form of human value. A 70+ y old lady has cancer.

November 28, 2016 05:00 IST
Shibu Chandran
2 hours ago

Serving political interests in another person's illness is the lowest form of human value. A 70+ y old lady has cancer.

November 28, 2016 05:00 IST


ads
Back To Top