AUTHOR=Hassanein Zeinab M. , Murray Rachael L. , Bogdanovica Ilze , Langley Tessa 

TITLE=Healthcare Professionals’ Knowledge, Attitudes and Counselling Practice Regarding Prevention of Secondhand Smoke Exposure Among Pregnant Women/Children in Assiut, Egypt

JOURNAL=International Journal of Public Health

VOLUME=Volume 67 - 2022

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.ssph-journal.org/journals/international-journal-of-public-health/articles/10.3389/ijph.2022.1605073

DOI=10.3389/ijph.2022.1605073

ISSN=1661-8564

ABSTRACT=Objectives: To explore Knowledge, attitudes and counselling practices of HCPs regarding SHS exposure among pregnant women and children in Egypt.
Methods: Survey of HCPs working in public maternal and child health clinics in Assiut city, Egypt. Descriptive and regression analyses were performed.
Results: 367 HCPs participated in the study, 12% of whom were smokers. The majority were nurses (45%). A considerable proportion of HCPs reported being exposed to SHS in the workplace (70%) and home (52%). About half HCP reported high SHS risk awareness (56%), supportive attitude towards preventing SHS exposure (53%), and having good counselling practice regarding SHS exposure (52%). Being a GP and serving urban communities were significantly associated with high risk awareness. Being female, serving rural communities and not being exposed to SHS at home were significantly associated with self-reported supportive attitudes and good counselling practice. 
Conclusion: HCPs’ awareness, attitudes and practice regarding the risks of SHS to pregnant women and children in Egypt should be improved. Training for HCPs and enforcement of smoke free polices are needed to improve awareness and facilitate changes in social norms.