Date of Conferral
2020
Degree
Ph.D.
School
Public Health
Advisor
Simone Salandy
Abstract
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a group of diseases that affect the gastrointestinal tract. Environmental factors, such as smoking, have been shown to play a role in the development of IBD; however, minimal research regarding secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure and the development of IBD has been conducted. The purpose of this study was to examine whether there was a relationship between childhood SHS exposure and the development of IBD. Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory was used in this study as a basis that the environment can aid in the development of disease. The research questions addressed the potential association between childhood SHS exposure and IBD development as well as the association between childhood SHS exposure and the age at diagnosis. A quantitative, cross-sectional design was used to analyze secondary data collected by a government organization regarding childhood SHS exposure and IBD status as well as other demographic, genetic, and environmental factors. There were 74 participants who met the inclusion factors to be included in this study. Multinomial logistic regression was conducted to analyze the variables in the data. The results indicated no significant relationship between childhood SHS exposure and IBD development as well as no significant relationship between childhood SHS exposure and the age of diagnosis. The results of this research can be used to inform future studies regarding the association of SHS exposure and IBD and possibly increase knowledge regarding individual risk factors for IBD and how physicians diagnose and treat patients.
Recommended Citation
Walsh, Stephanie Eve, "Association Between Childhood Secondhand Smoke Exposure and Inflammatory Bowel Disease Development" (2020). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 8590.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/8590
