The Effect of a Zero Tolerance Program (SToP) on Child's Urine Cotinine Level According to Exposure Feedback

Plain-language summary

Although the ban on indoor smoking has greatly reduced secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure in public spaces, the home environment is still the primary source of exposure to SHS, particularly in children under the age of five. Although attempts are often made to prevent or reduce children's exposure to SHS, such as education, counseling, and exposure feedback to parents, exposure remains. Although using materials such as brochures, messages, posters and reminders that will minimize the harms such as protecting children from SHS will reduce the exposure, exposure continues in the long term.The aim of this study is to compare the effect of giving exposure feedback to the parents according to the zero tolerance program (SToP) on the urinary cotinine level of the children. In this study with active control group, single-blind (participant), randomized control, stratified block randomization (1:1) will be performed. Totally 58 participants including STOP intervention group (n:29) and the exposure feedback group (n:29), which is the active control group, were planned to be included in the study, which was planned to be conducted between January and September 2023. Cotinine-sensitive dipstick test kits will be used for the primary outcome (urine cotinine). Cotinine-sensitive dipstick test kit is a simple, cost-effective test to determine smoking status. It is an easy-to-read test strip that can be used with either a saliva or a urine sample. Secondary outcomes will be evaluated by information form on exposure to second-hand smoke, an attitude form on exposure to second-hand smoke, and a scale of beliefs towards third-hand smoke. This protocol will demonstrate whether SToP interventions, a sustainable program for children at high risk of secondhand tobacco exposure, are a viable intervention for parents on how to reduce exposure.

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