PREVALENCE OF PASSIVE SMOKING IN PATIENTS WITH STROKE

Background: Stroke is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide, often associated with modifiable risk factors. Passive smoking, also known as secondhand smoke exposure, has emerged as a significant contributor to cardiovascular diseases, including stroke. Despite global efforts to reduce tobacco-related harm, passive smoke exposure remains prevalent, especially in low- and middle-income countries. Understanding its impact on stroke patients is crucial to inform targeted prevention strategies. Objective: To determine the frequency of passive smoking among patients diagnosed with stroke. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Neurology Department of Pak Emirates Military Hospital, Rawalpindi, over a six-month period from September 2024 to February 2025. A total of 139 patients aged 18 to 80 years, diagnosed with acute stroke and confirmed via non-contrast computed tomography (CT) of the brain, were included after obtaining informed consent. Patients with a history of active smoking or previous stroke were excluded. Demographic data, clinical characteristics, and history of passive smoking were collected through structured interviews. Stroke types were categorized as ischemic or hemorrhagic. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25.0, with quantitative variables expressed as medians and interquartile ranges (IQR), and qualitative variables as frequencies and percentages. Results: Among the 139 patients, the median age was 51 years (IQR: 22), median symptom duration was 36 hours (IQR: 13), and median BMI was 23.8 kg/m² (IQR: 2.1). Of the total, 78 (56.1%) were male and 61 (43.9%) were female. Ischemic stroke was diagnosed in 112 (80.6%) patients and hemorrhagic stroke in 27 (19.4%). Passive smoking was reported by 21 (15.1%) patients. Conclusion: A significant proportion of stroke patients were found to be exposed to passive smoking, highlighting the need for public health measures to reduce secondhand smoke exposure in the community.