Effects of Health Belief Model Interventions on Preventive Beliefs in Secondhand Smoke Exposure

Secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure, also known as environmental tobacco smoke, passive smoke or involuntary smoke, is caused by the burning of cigarettes and other tobacco products and the smoke exhaled by a smoker. Although Turkey is one of the best countries in combating SHS exposure, one in four adults is exposed to SHS at home. One of the most important reasons for this exposure is the lack of deterrent policies for the home environment, which is considered a private area. It is entirely possible for non-smoking individuals to be protected from SHS exposure at home through their own efforts. In this context, the knowledge, behaviors and perceptions of non-smoking adults about exposure are important in preventing or reducing SHS exposure at home. Interventions based on the behavior change model can be effective in developing protective behaviors in adults at risk of SHS exposure at home. Individual and group interventions using multiple educational materials and methods based on the Health Belief Model (HBM) (SHS exposure feedback, interactive group education and social media sharing) can develop protective behaviors in individuals at home.