ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: There is a paucity of research on knowledge/attitudes regarding the dangers of exposure to secondhand smoking (SHS) among women. The relationship between exposure to SHS, socioeconomic status (SES) and knowledge/attitudes regarding the risks of SHS has often been ignored. We therefore aimed to examine (1) whether SES and exposure to SHS were independently associated with knowledge/attitudes regarding the risks of SHS; and (2) whether women with low SES and exposure to SHS were uniquely disadvantaged in terms of deficient knowledge and more dismissive attitudes towards the risks of SHS. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional study in the Rajshahi district, Bangladesh. METHODS: A total of 541 women were interviewed. Knowledge of and attitudes towards the risks of SHS were the outcomes of interest. RESULTS: A majority of the respondents were exposed to SHS at home (49.0%). Only 20.1% had higher levels of knowledge, and only 37.3% had non-dismissive attitudes towards the risks of SHS. Participants in the low SES group and those exposed to SHS had lower odds of higher knowledge and their attitudes towards the risks of SHS were more dismissive. Regarding deficient levels of knowledge and scores indicating more dismissive attitudes, women in the low SES group and who were exposed to SHS were not uniquely disadvantaged. CONCLUSIONS: Exposure to SHS and low SES were independently associated with deficient knowledge and scores indicating more dismissive attitudes. Regarding knowledge/attitudes, the negative effect of exposure to SHS extended across all socioeconomic backgrounds and was not limited to women in either the low or the high SES group.

OBJECTIVE: This article establishes the hypothesis that predisposing, enabling and household needs influence the complete vaccination status of children. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data from the 2004 Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (N= 3530) was used. The data was analyzed using descriptive and multiple logistic regression methods. RESULTS: Approximately 60% of the children in rural Bangladesh were fully immunized. The full vaccination rate increased with an increase in the previous birth interval and the education level of the mother. Women with the highest wealth index were significantly more likely to fully immunize their children. Distance from health facility, parity, mother's age, mass media, children's sex and tetanus toxoid injection were also significantly positively associated with full vaccination. CONCLUSIONS: Findings reflect that, irrespective of need, only children from higher economic or educational groups can afford to be fully vaccinated in rural Bangladesh. In other words, predisposing, enabling and need factors appear to have a strong association with full immunization coverage

OBJETIVO: Establecer la hipótesis de que los predisponentes, los facilitadores y los factores de necesidad de los hogares influyen en el estado de vacunación completa de los niños. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Se utilizaron los datos de Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey de 2004 (N= 3530). Es un estudio descriptivo en el que se utilizó el método de regresión logística múltiple para el análisis de datos. RESULTADOS: Aproximadamente 60% de los niños estaban completamente inmunizados en zonas rurales de Bangladesh. La tasa de vacunación completa aumentó con un incremento en el intervalo de los nacimientos anteriores y el nivel educativo de la madre. Las mujeres con mejor nivel económico muestran un índice significativamente más alto de probabilidad en el hecho de haber administrado todas las vacunas a sus hijos. La distancia del centro de salud, la paridad, la edad materna, los medios de comunicación, el sexo del niño y la inyección de toxoide tetánico también fueron significativamente asociados de forma positiva con la vacunación completa. CONCLUSIONES: Los resultados reflejan que, independientemente de su necesidad, sólo los niños de los grupos económicos o educativos más altos pueden tener mayores posibilidades de tener el esquema de vacunación completo en zonas rurales de Bangladesh. En otras palabras, los predisponentes, los facilitadores y los factores de necesidad parecen tener una fuerte asociación con la cobertura de inmunización completa.

OBJECTIVE: This article establishes the hypothesis that predisposing, enabling and household needs influence the complete vaccination status of children. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data from the 2004 Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (N= 3530) was used. The data was analyzed using descriptive and multiple logistic regression methods. RESULTS: Approximately 60% of the children in rural Bangladesh were fully immunized. The full vaccination rate increased with an increase in the previous birth interval and the education level of the mother. Women with the highest wealth index were significantly more likely to fully immunize their children. Distance from health facility, parity, mother's age, mass media, children's sex and tetanus toxoid injection were also significantly positively associated with full vaccination. CONCLUSIONS: Findings reflect that, irrespective of need, only children from higher economic or educational groups can afford to be fully vaccinated in rural Bangladesh. In other words, predisposing, enabling and need factors appear to have a strong association with full immunization coverage

OBJETIVO: Establecer la hipótesis de que los predisponentes, los facilitadores y los factores de necesidad de los hogares influyen en el estado de vacunación completa de los niños. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Se utilizaron los datos de Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey de 2004 (N= 3530). Es un estudio descriptivo en el que se utilizó el método de regresión logística múltiple para el análisis de datos. RESULTADOS: Aproximadamente 60% de los niños estaban completamente inmunizados en zonas rurales de Bangladesh. La tasa de vacunación completa aumentó con un incremento en el intervalo de los nacimientos anteriores y el nivel educativo de la madre. Las mujeres con mejor nivel económico muestran un índice significativamente más alto de probabilidad en el hecho de haber administrado todas las vacunas a sus hijos. La distancia del centro de salud, la paridad, la edad materna, los medios de comunicación, el sexo del niño y la inyección de toxoide tetánico también fueron significativamente asociados de forma positiva con la vacunación completa. CONCLUSIONES: Los resultados reflejan que, independientemente de su necesidad, sólo los niños de los grupos económicos o educativos más altos pueden tener mayores posibilidades de tener el esquema de vacunación completo en zonas rurales de Bangladesh. En otras palabras, los predisponentes, los facilitadores y los factores de necesidad parecen tener una fuerte asociación con la cobertura de inmunización completa.