Tobacco Smoke Exposure and Health-Care Utilization Among Children in the United States.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess patterns of health-care utilization among children who potentially had tobacco smoke exposure (TSE) compared to those who were not exposed.

DESIGN: A secondary data analysis of the 2011 to 2012 National Survey on Children's Health was performed.

SETTING: Households nationwide were selected.

PARTICIPANTS: A total of 95 677 children aged 0 to 17 years.

MEASURES: Sociodemographic characteristics, TSE status, and health-care visits were measured.

ANALYSIS: Multivariable logistic regression models were performed.

RESULTS: A total of 24.1% of children lived with smokers. Approximately 5% had home TSE. Participants who lived with a smoker were significantly more likely to have had a medical care visit (odds ratio [OR] = 1.22, confidence interval [CI] = 1.21-1.22) and were more likely to seek sick care or health advice at an emergency department (OR = 1.23, CI = 1.23-1.24) but were less likely to have had a dental care visit (OR = 0.82, CI = 0.82-0.83) than those who did not live with a smoker. Similar findings were found among participants who had home TSE.

CONCLUSION: TSE is a risk factor for increased use of pediatric medical care. Based on the high number of children who potentially had TSE and received sick care or health advice at an emergency emergency department, this setting may be a venue to deliver health messages to caregivers.