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Accuracy of Self-Reported Smoking and Secondhand Smoke Exposure in the US Workforce: The National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys

2008; Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; Volume: 50; Issue: 12 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1097/jom.0b013e318188b90a

1536-5948

Kristopher L. Arheart, David Lee, Lora E. Fleming, William G. LeBlanc, Noella A. Dietz, Kathryn E. McCollister, James D. Wilkinson, John E. Lewis, John D. Clark, Evelyn P. Davila, Frank C. Bandiera, Michael J. Erard,

Indoor Air Quality and Microbial Exposure

Objectives: Occupational health studies often rely on self-reported secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure. This study examines the accuracy of self-reported tobacco use and SHS exposure. Methods: Data on serum cotinine, self-reported tobacco use, and SHS exposure for US workers were extracted from three National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (n = 17,011). Serum cotinine levels were used to classify workers into SHS exposure categories. The percent agreement between self-reported tobacco use and SHS exposure with the cotinine categories was calculated. Results: Workers reporting tobacco use were 88% accurate whereas workers reporting work, home, or home+work exposures were 87% to 92% accurate. Workers reporting no SHS exposure were only 28% accurate. Conclusions: Workers accurately reported their smoking status and workplace-home SHS exposures, but substantial numbers reporting "no exposures" had detectable levels of cotinine in their blood, indicating exposure to SHS.