Prevalence and associated factors of workplace secondhand smoke exposure in 10 African countries, 2012-2021
1
CDC Foundation, Atlanta, United States
2
Independent Researcher, Atlanta, United States
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Adoption of workplace smokefree policies is increasing due to heightened awareness of the dangers of secondhand smoke exposure (SHSe) and efforts to promote healthier lifestyles. This study assessed the prevalence of workplace SHSe and associated sociodemographic factors among adults aged 15 and older in 10 African countries.
METHODS:
We analyzed Global Adult Tobacco Survey data collected between 2012-2021 in 10 African countries. Any workplace SHSe was assessed among adults who worked outside their homes, excluding those who worked exclusively outdoors. The analytic sample ranged from n=630 [Tanzania] to n=3,289 [Ethiopia]; response rates ranged from 80.0% [Botswana] to 97.0% [Senegal]. Weighted country-level descriptive and multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to calculate the adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) of workplace SHSe, accounting for covariates.
RESULTS:
The prevalence of workplace SHSe ranged from 11.2% (95%CI: 7.8%-15.4%; South Africa) to 34.7% (95%CI: 30.4%-39.3%; Mauritania). Workplace SHSe was significantly associated with being male in Uganda, Kenya and Mauritania (aOR range: 1.66, 95%CI: 1.11-2.46 [Uganda] to 3.21, 95%CI: 1.87-5.49 [Mauritania]). Other factors significantly associated with workplace SHSe included being self-employed in Botswana, Cameroon, and South Africa (aOR range: 1.79, 95%CI: 1.04-3.07 [Botswana] to 5.33, 95%CI: 1.50-19.0 [South Africa]) and urban residency in Uganda, Mauritania and Ethiopia (aOR range: 0.63, 95%CI: 0.41-0.96 [Uganda] to 2.31, 95%CI: 1.50-3.55 [Ethiopia]). For all countries, absence of a workplace smokefree policy was significantly associated with workplace SHSe; aORs ranged from 2.07 (95%CI: 1.14-3.77; Botswana) to 21.0 (95%CI: 13.6, 32.4; Uganda).
CONCLUSIONS:
Despite the existence of limited smokefree policies, workplace SHSe remains a concern. Workplace SHSe across 10 African countries was significantly associated with gender, residence, employment type, and workplace smoke-free policies in select or all countries examined. Strengthening the enforcement of current policies and adopting comprehensive smoke-free regulations could further reduce workers' exposure to SHS.
Adoption of workplace smokefree policies is increasing due to heightened awareness of the dangers of secondhand smoke exposure (SHSe) and efforts to promote healthier lifestyles. This study assessed the prevalence of workplace SHSe and associated sociodemographic factors among adults aged 15 and older in 10 African countries.
METHODS:
We analyzed Global Adult Tobacco Survey data collected between 2012-2021 in 10 African countries. Any workplace SHSe was assessed among adults who worked outside their homes, excluding those who worked exclusively outdoors. The analytic sample ranged from n=630 [Tanzania] to n=3,289 [Ethiopia]; response rates ranged from 80.0% [Botswana] to 97.0% [Senegal]. Weighted country-level descriptive and multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to calculate the adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) of workplace SHSe, accounting for covariates.
RESULTS:
The prevalence of workplace SHSe ranged from 11.2% (95%CI: 7.8%-15.4%; South Africa) to 34.7% (95%CI: 30.4%-39.3%; Mauritania). Workplace SHSe was significantly associated with being male in Uganda, Kenya and Mauritania (aOR range: 1.66, 95%CI: 1.11-2.46 [Uganda] to 3.21, 95%CI: 1.87-5.49 [Mauritania]). Other factors significantly associated with workplace SHSe included being self-employed in Botswana, Cameroon, and South Africa (aOR range: 1.79, 95%CI: 1.04-3.07 [Botswana] to 5.33, 95%CI: 1.50-19.0 [South Africa]) and urban residency in Uganda, Mauritania and Ethiopia (aOR range: 0.63, 95%CI: 0.41-0.96 [Uganda] to 2.31, 95%CI: 1.50-3.55 [Ethiopia]). For all countries, absence of a workplace smokefree policy was significantly associated with workplace SHSe; aORs ranged from 2.07 (95%CI: 1.14-3.77; Botswana) to 21.0 (95%CI: 13.6, 32.4; Uganda).
CONCLUSIONS:
Despite the existence of limited smokefree policies, workplace SHSe remains a concern. Workplace SHSe across 10 African countries was significantly associated with gender, residence, employment type, and workplace smoke-free policies in select or all countries examined. Strengthening the enforcement of current policies and adopting comprehensive smoke-free regulations could further reduce workers' exposure to SHS.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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