| Learning Objective #1: Examine factors associated with secondhand smoke exposure among restaurant and bar workers | |||
| Learning Objective #2: Evaluate the use of hair as a biomarker for secondhand smoke exposure |
Design: Cross-sectional, nonexperimental. Sample/Setting/Years: 106 restaurant and bar workers from three communities, February-May, 2003.
Study Variables: Hair nicotine, work establishment characteristics, SHS exposure at work and home.
Methods: Quota sampling using smoking prevalence and type of establishment, hair samples at local health departments, self-report questionnaires.
Findings: Almost all (92%) worked in a place that allowed smoking. Nonsmokers working in places that allowed smoking had higher hair nicotine levels than nonsmokers from smoke-free establishments. Smokers were more likely to be satisfied or very satisfied with their work smoking policy than nonsmokers. Those working in smoke-free establishments were more likely to be satified with their policies than those working in places that allowed smoking.
Conclusions: Nonsmokers who work in places that allow smoking are at risk for smoking-attributable diseases. Nonsmoking servers exposed to SHS at work were less satisfied with their policies than those who work in smoke-free places. Servers in communities that ban smoking may be more satisfied with the rules than those in communities that allow smoking.
Implications: Promoting smoke-free laws and private sector policies is important to protect worker health and reduce morbidity and mortality from SHS exposure.
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Back to 15th International Nursing Research Congress
Sigma Theta Tau International
July 22-24, 2004