WTS database

Title	Pub Year Sort descending	Author	SearchLink
Smoking, awareness of smoking-associated health risks, and knowledge of national tobacco legislation in Gaza, Palestine	2014		Read more...
Source Type Print(0) Ref Type Journal Article Periodical, Full Central European journal of public health Periodical, Abbrev. Cent.Eur.J.Public Health Pub Date Free Form Jun Volume 22 Issue 2 Start Page 80 Other Pages 89 Notes LR: 20151119; JID: 9417324; 0 (Tobacco Smoke Pollution); ppublish Place of Publication Czech Republic ISSN/ISBN 1210-7778; 1210-7778 Accession Number PMID: 25230536 Language eng SubFile Journal Article; Multicenter Study; IM DOI 10.21101/cejph.a4005 [doi] Output Language Unknown(0) PMID 25230536 Abstract AIMS: To assess university students' extent of smoking, knowledge of smoking health risks, and awareness of existing national anti-smoking laws. METHODS: Self-administered questionnaire was employed across 7 universities (1,104 students, equal proportions of males and females) located in Gaza Strip, Palestine. RESULTS: About 55% of participants reported ever smoking, 31% were current cigarette smokers, and 36% were 'strictly' (only) narghile (water pipe) smokers. Mean age of smoking initiation was 17 +/- 3.15 years. Smokers had less knowledge of smoking associated health risks than nonsmokers. Students' knowledge of existing anti-smoking laws was generally low (11.3-25.5%), and significantly more smokers had knowledge about existing laws (ban of advertisement of smoking, ban of smoking in public places, and ban of selling cigarettes to minors) than non-smokers. About 81% of current smokers tried to quit smoking at least once during their life, 53% felt ready to quit smoking if cessation assistance was provided, 17% were not ready to quit, and 30% were reluctant/felt unsure if they were ready to quit. Most students (94.3%) reported that there were no smoking cessation centres in Palestine, or did not know if such centres existed. Males were associated with almost all categories of smoking (e.g. smoking both cigarettes and narghile, or smoking narghile only). CONCLUSIONS: There is a lack of knowledge about the existing national anti-smoking legislation among university students in Gaza, Palestine. Smoking cessation centres also seem non-existent in Gaza. Multi-level interventions and actions are required by policy makers, educators and non-governmental agencies to prevent smoking among university students in Gaza, and to educate them on tobacco cessation counselling, on the dangers of tobacco use, and about effective stress management strategies to help them to cope with stressors. Smoking cessation interventions are required to address both cigarette and narghile use. Efforts need to be invested in ensuring compliance with legislation and for follow-up activities to enforce the anti-smoking laws through coordinated actions across ministries and departments. Descriptors Links Book Title Database Publisher Data Source Authors Abu Shomar,R.T., Lubbad,I.K., El Ansari,W., Al-Khatib,I.A., Alharazin,H.J. Original/Translated Title URL Date of Electronic PMCID Editors
Effect of shisha (waterpipe) smoking on lung functions and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) among Saudi young adult shisha smokers	2014	Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2925, Riyadh 11461 Saudi Arabia. smeo@ksu.edu.sa.; Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2925, Riyadh 11461 Saudi Arabia. K_a_Z_h@hotmail	Read more...
Source Type Print(0) Ref Type Journal Article Periodical, Full International journal of environmental research and public health Periodical, Abbrev. Int.J.Environ.Res.Public.Health. Pub Date Free Form 17-Sep Volume 11 Issue 9 Start Page 9638 Other Pages 9648 Notes JID: 101238455; 31C4KY9ESH (Nitric Oxide); OID: NLM: PMC4199040; 2014/06/15 [received]; 2014/09/02 [revised]; 2014/09/03 [accepted]; epublish Place of Publication Switzerland ISSN/ISBN 1660-4601; 1660-4601 Accession Number PMID: 25233010 Language eng SubFile Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't; IM DOI 10.3390/ijerph110909638 [doi] Output Language Unknown(0) PMID 25233010 Abstract Shisha (waterpipe) smoking is becoming a more prevalent form of tobacco consumption, and is growing worldwide, particularly among the young generation in the Middle East. This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the effects of shisha smoking on lung functions and Fractional Exhaled Nitric Oxide (FeNO) among Saudi young adults. We recruited 146 apparently healthy male subjects (73 control and 73 shisha smokers). The exposed group consisted of male shisha smokers, with mean age 21.54 +/- 0.41 (mean +/- SEM) range 17-33 years. The control group consisted of similar number (73) of non-smokers with mean age 21.36 +/- 0.19 (mean +/- SEM) range 18-28 years. Between the groups we considered the factors like age, height, weight, gender, ethnicity and socioeconomic status to estimate the impact of shisha smoking on lung function and fractional exhaled nitric oxide. Lung function test was performed by using an Spirovit-SP-1 Electronic Spirometer. Fractional Exhaled Nitric Oxide (FeNO) was measured by using Niox Mino. A significant decrease in lung function parameters FEV1, FEV1/FVC Ratio, FEF-25%, FEF-50%, FEF-75% and FEF-75-85% was found among shisha smokers relative to their control group. There was also a significant reduction in the Fractional Exhaled Nitric Oxide among Shisha smokers compared to control group. Descriptors Links Book Title Database Publisher Data Source Authors Meo,S.A., AlShehri,K.A., AlHarbi,B.B., Barayyan,O.R., Bawazir,A.S., Alanazi,O.A., Al-Zuhair,A.R. Original/Translated Title URL Date of Electronic 20140917 PMCID PMC4199040 Editors
Alternative tobacco product use and smoking cessation among homeless youth in los angeles county	2014	RAND Corporation, Santa Monica, CA; jtucker@rand.org.; RAND Corporation, Pittsburgh, PA.; RAND Corporation, Santa Monica, CA;; RAND Corporation, Santa Monica, CA;	Read more...
Source Type Print(0) Ref Type Journal Article Periodical, Full Nicotine & tobacco research : official journal of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco Periodical, Abbrev. Nicotine Tob.Res. Pub Date Free Form Nov Volume 16 Issue 11 Start Page 1522 Other Pages 1526 Notes CI: Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco 2014; JID: 9815751; 2014/08/21 [aheadofprint]; ppublish Place of Publication England ISSN/ISBN 1469-994X; 1462-2203 Accession Number PMID: 25145375 Language eng SubFile Journal Article; Randomized Controlled Trial; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't; IM DOI 10.1093/ntr/ntu133 [doi] Output Language Unknown(0) PMID 25145375 Abstract INTRODUCTION: Approximately 70% of homeless youth smoke cigarettes, but their use of alternative tobacco products (ATPs) is unknown. This paper reports on ATP use among past-month smokers in Los Angeles County, including whether it differs by demographic characteristics, homelessness severity, past-year quit attempts, and readiness to quit smoking. Given the growing popularity of e-cigarettes, we also report on perceptions of harm and reasons for using this product. METHODS: We surveyed 292 unaccompanied homeless youth who were randomly sampled from street sites. Participants had smoked at least 100 cigarettes during their lifetime and 1 cigarette during the past month. RESULTS: Seventy-two percent of youth reported past-month ATP use (e-cigarettes = 51%; little cigars/cigarillos = 46%; hookah = 31%; other smokeless tobacco product = 24%; chewing tobacco/moist snuff = 19%). Current ATP use was unrelated to most demographic characteristics or having a past-year quit attempt. However, youth who planned to quit smoking in the next 30 days were significantly less likely to report current use of hookahs, other smokeless tobacco products, or e-cigarettes. Among lifetime e-cigarette users, the most common reasons for use included not having to go outside to smoke (38%) and being able to deal with situations or places where they cannot smoke (36%); it was less common to report using e-cigarettes to quit smoking (17%-18%). DISCUSSION: Dual use of ATPs among homeless youth smokers is common and is more likely among those who have no immediate plans to quit smoking. Effective and easily disseminable strategies for reducing all forms of tobacco use among homeless youth are urgently needed. Descriptors Links Book Title Database Publisher . This work is written by (a) US Government employee(s) and is in the public domain in the US Data Source Authors Tucker,J.S., Shadel,W.G., Golinelli,D., Ewing,B. Original/Translated Title URL Date of Electronic 20140821 PMCID Editors
Alternate tobacco product and drug use among adolescents who use electronic cigarettes, cigarettes only, and never smokers	2014	Department of Pediatrics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut. Electronic address: deepa.camenga@yale.edu.; Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut.; Department of Psychiatry, Yale Univer	Read more...
Source Type Print(0) Ref Type Journal Article Periodical, Full The Journal of adolescent health : official publication of the Society for Adolescent Medicine Periodical, Abbrev. J.Adolesc.Health Pub Date Free Form Oct Volume 55 Issue 4 Start Page 588 Other Pages 591 Notes LR: 20151213; CI: Copyright (c) 2014; GR: K12 DA033312/DA/NIDA NIH HHS/United States; GR: K12DA033012/DA/NIDA NIH HHS/United States; GR: P30 CA016056/CA/NCI NIH HHS/United States; GR: R01 DA026450/DA/NIDA NIH HHS/United States; GR: R01DA026450/DA/NIDA NIH Place of Publication United States ISSN/ISBN 1879-1972; 1054-139X Accession Number PMID: 25085648 Language eng SubFile Journal Article; Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural; IM DOI 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2014.06.016 [doi] Output Language Unknown(0) PMID 25085648 Abstract PURPOSE: To determine whether use of alternative tobacco products (i.e., cigars, blunts, hookah, smokeless tobacco), alcohol, and marijuana differs among adolescents who currently use (1) electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes); (2) cigarettes only; and (3) never smokers. METHODS: Analysis of a self-reported survey from four high schools in 2010-2011 (n = 3,102) with a subsample (n = 1,556) surveyed on alcohol and marijuana. Analyses were conducted with multinomial logistic regression models accounting for clustering by schools. RESULTS: The sample contained 2.4% (n = 76) e-cigarette users, 12.4% (n = 386) cigarette smokers, and 85.1% (n = 3,197) never smokers. E-cigarette users were more likely than cigarette-only smokers to report blunt (adjusted odds ratio, 1.81; 95% confidence interval, 1.21-2.71) and hookah use (adjusted odds ratio, 3.12; 95% confidence interval, 1.90-5.13), but not cigar, smokeless tobacco, alcohol, or marijuana use. CONCLUSIONS: E-cigarette users are more likely than cigarette smokers to use hookah and blunts. Descriptors Links Book Title Database Publisher Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc Data Source Authors Camenga,D.R., Kong,G., Cavallo,D.A., Liss,A., Hyland,A., Delmerico,J., Cummings,K.M., Krishnan-Sarin,S. Original/Translated Title URL Date of Electronic 20140729 PMCID PMC4175192 Editors
Challenges to obtaining parental permission for child participation in a school-based waterpipe tobacco smoking prevention intervention in Qatar	2014	Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, PO Box 11-0237 Riad El Solh, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon. ra15@aub.edu.lb.	Read more...
Source Type Print(0) Ref Type Journal Article Periodical, Full BMC medical ethics Periodical, Abbrev. BMC Med.Ethics Pub Date Free Form 30-Sep Volume 15 Issue Start Page 70 Other Pages 6939-15-70 Notes LR: 20141204; JID: 101088680; OID: NLM: PMC4254406; 2014/04/16 [received]; 2014/09/24 [accepted]; 2014/09/30 [aheadofprint]; epublish Place of Publication England ISSN/ISBN 1472-6939; 1472-6939 Accession Number PMID: 25267351 Language eng SubFile Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't; E; IM DOI 10.1186/1472-6939-15-70 [doi] Output Language Unknown(0) PMID 25267351 Abstract BACKGROUND: Involving children in research studies requires obtaining parental permission. A school-based intervention to delay/prevent waterpipe use for 7th and 8th graders in Qatar was developed, and parental permission requested. Fifty three percent (2308/4314) of the parents returned permission forms; of those 19.5% of the total (840/4314) granted permission. This paper describes the challenges to obtaining parental permission. No research to date has described such challenges in the Arab world. METHODS: A random sample of 40 schools in Doha, Qatar was selected for inclusion in the original intervention. Permission forms were distributed to parents for approval of their child's participation. The permission forms requested that parents indicate their reasons for non-permission if they declined. These were categorized into themes. In order to understand reasons for non-permission, interviews with parents were conducted. Phone numbers of parents were requested from the school administration; 12 of the 40 schools (30%) agreed to provide the contact information. A random sample of 28 parents from 12 schools was interviewed to reach data saturation. Thematic analysis was used to analyze their responses. RESULTS: Reasons for non-permission documented in both the forms and interviews included: poor timing; lack of interest; the child not wanting to participate; and the child living in a smoke-free environment. Interviews provided information on important topics to include in the consent forms, parents' decision-making processes regarding their child's participation, and considerations for communicating with parents. Many parents also indicated that this was the first time they had been asked to give an informed consent for their child's participation in a study. CONCLUSIONS: Results indicate that more attention needs to be given to the informed parental consent process. Researchers should consider enhancing both the methods of communicating information as well the specific information provided. Before embarking on recruitment of children for studies, formative research on the parental consent process is suggested. Descriptors Links Book Title Database Publisher Data Source Authors Nakkash,R.T., Al Mulla,A., Torossian,L., Karhily,R., Shuayb,L., Mahfoud,Z.R., Janahi,I., Al Ansari,A.A., Afifi,R.A. Original/Translated Title URL Date of Electronic 20140930 PMCID PMC4254406 Editors
Bacterial contamination of different components of the waterpipe	2014	Research Center for Social Determinants of Health, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman, Iran.; Research Center for Tropical and Infectious Diseases, Kerman, Iran.; Medical Student Research Committee, Kerman, Iran.; Neuroscience Research Center	Read more...
Source Type Print(0) Ref Type Journal Article Periodical, Full The international journal of tuberculosis and lung disease : the official journal of the International Union against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease Periodical, Abbrev. Int.J.Tuberc.Lung Dis. Pub Date Free Form Aug Volume 18 Issue 8 Start Page 988 Other Pages 991 Notes JID: 9706389; ppublish Place of Publication France ISSN/ISBN 1815-7920; 1027-3719 Accession Number PMID: 25199017 Language eng SubFile Journal Article; IM DOI 10.5588/ijtld.14.0026 [doi] Output Language Unknown(0) PMID 25199017 Abstract SETTING: Waterpipe smoking is an emerging topic in tobacco research that may have unrecognised health hazards. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether waterpipes are a source of bacterial contamination. METHODS: A total of 15 restaurants and waterpipe cafes were randomly selected from the list of locations serving waterpipe tobacco in Kerman city, Iran. Different parts of the waterpipe devices were sampled, including the disposable mouthpiece, the mouthpiece of the hose and the water in the bowl of the waterpipe. The samples were smeared onto bacterial culture media, including eosin methylene blue, blood agar and MacConkey agar growth media, and incubated at 37 degrees C. After 24-48 h, they were examined for colony growth. RESULTS: Of 285 samples from different parts of the waterpipes, 236 (82.8%) showed positive cultures; the rate of contamination ranged from 69% in the fixed mouthpiece to 96% in bowl water. Coagulase-negative staphylococci (32.9%), Streptococcus spp (26.9%), Neisseria spp (13.7%) and Escherichia coli (9.4%) were the most frequent contaminants. CONCLUSION: Waterpipes are frequently contaminated with microorganisms. This study revealed potential microbial hazards in waterpipes that may contribute to respiratory tract colonisation. Descriptors Links Book Title Database Publisher Data Source Authors Safizadeh,H., Moradi,M., Rad,M.R., Nakhaee,N. Original/Translated Title URL Date of Electronic PMCID Editors
Comparison of end tidal carbon monoxide (eCO) levels in shisha (water pipe) and cigarette smokers	2014	Post-graduate trainee in pulmonology Department, Jinnah Post Graduate Medical Center, Karachi, Pakistan.; Chair Person business administration, Indus University, Karachi, Pakistan.; Head of Department in pulmonology Department, Jinnah Post Graduate Medica	Read more...
Source Type Print(0) Ref Type Journal Article Periodical, Full Tobacco induced diseases Periodical, Abbrev. Tob Induc Dis. Pub Date Free Form 4-Jul Volume 12 Issue 1 Start Page 10 Other Pages 9625-12-10. eCollection 2014 Notes LR: 20140912; JID: 101201591; OID: NLM: PMC4158767; OTO: NOTNLM; 2014 [ecollection]; 2013/12/18 [received]; 2014/06/18 [accepted]; 2014/07/04 [epublish]; epublish Place of Publication England ISSN/ISBN 2070-7266; 1617-9625 Accession Number PMID: 25206319 Language eng SubFile Journal Article DOI 10.1186/1617-9625-12-10 [doi] Output Language Unknown(0) PMID 25206319 Abstract BACKGROUND: Measuring eCo is rapid, non-invasive and inexpensive tool and correlate correctly with carboxyhemoglobin levels in blood. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the increase in end tidal carbon monoxide (eCO) levels in exhaled breath of passive smokers and healthy smokers after cigarette and shisha smoking. FINDINGS: In a cross sectional study eCO levels were measured in 70 subjects (24 cigarette smokers, 20 shisha smoker, 26 passive smokers) by use of portable device. Smokers were asked to smoke shisha for 30 mins in shisha cafe or to smoke 5 cigarettes in 30 mins in a restaurant. eCo levels were measured at baseline (30 mins), 35 mins, 60 mins and 90 mins in all groups after entry to the venue. The baseline mean eCO level among cigarette smokers was 3.5 +/- 0.6 ppm (part per million), passive cigarette smokers 3.7+/-1.0 ppm, shisha smokers 27.7+/-4.9 ppm and passive shisha smokers 18.3+/-8.4 ppm .The mean increase in eCO after 90 min among smokers was 9.4+/-4.6 (p Descriptors Links Book Title Database Publisher Data Source Authors Akhter,S., Ali Warraich,U., Rizvi,N., Idrees,N., Zaina,F. Original/Translated Title URL Date of Electronic 20140704 PMCID PMC4158767 Editors
Bibliometric analysis of scientific publications on waterpipe (narghile, shisha, hookah) tobacco smoking during the period 2003-2012	2014	Poison Control and Drug Information Center (PCDIC), College of Medicine and Health Sciences, An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine. saedzyoud@yahoo.com.	Read more...
Source Type Print(0) Ref Type Journal Article Periodical, Full Tobacco induced diseases Periodical, Abbrev. Tob Induc Dis. Pub Date Free Form 13-Apr Volume 12 Issue 1 Start Page 7 Other Pages 12/7/9625 Notes LR: 20140418; JID: 101201591; OID: NLM: PMC3989780; 2013/11/22 [received]; 2014/04/08 [accepted]; 2014/04/13 [aheadofprint]; epublish Place of Publication England ISSN/ISBN 2070-7266; 1617-9625 Accession Number PMID: 24725483 Language eng SubFile Journal Article DOI 10.1186/1617-9625-12-7 [doi] Output Language Unknown(0) PMID 24725483 Abstract BACKGROUND: Waterpipe tobacco smoking has spread worldwide. However, the evaluation of scientific output in the field of waterpipe tobacco smoking has not been studied yet. The main objectives of this study were to analyze worldwide research output in the waterpipe tobacco smoking field, and to examine the authorship pattern and the citations retrieved from the Scopus database for over a decade. METHODS: Data from January 1, 2003 through December 31, 2012 were searched for documents with specific words regarding waterpipe tobacco smoking as "keywords" in the title. Scientific output was evaluated based on a methodology developed and used in other bibliometric studies: (a) total and trends of contributions in waterpipe tobacco smoking research between 2003 and 2012; (b) authorship patterns and research productivity; (c) collaboration patterns; (d) the citations received by the publications; and (e) areas of interest of the published papers. RESULTS: Worldwide there were 334 publications that met the criteria during the study period. The largest number of publications in waterpipe tobacco smoking were from the United States of America (USA) (33.5%), followed by Lebanon (15.3%), and France (10.5%). The total number of citations at the time of data analysis (October 18, 2013) was 4,352, with an average of 13 citations per document and a median (interquartile range) of 4.0 (1.0-16.0). The h-index of the retrieved documents was 34. The highest h-index by country was 27 for the USA, followed by 20 for Syrian Arab Republic and Lebanon. CONCLUSIONS: The present data reveal a promising rise and a good start for research activity in the field of waterpipe tobacco smoking. More effort is needed to bridge the gap in waterpipe smoking-based research and to promote better evaluation of waterpipe smoking, risks, health effects, or control services worldwide. Descriptors Links Book Title Database Publisher Data Source Authors Zyoud,S.H., Al-Jabi,S.W., Sweileh,W.M. Original/Translated Title URL Date of Electronic 20140413 PMCID PMC3989780 Editors
A Review Study of Substance Abuse Status in High School Students, Isfahan, Iran	2014	Provincial Health Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.; Provincial Health Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.; Vice-chancellery for Research, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.; Prov	Read more...
Source Type Print(0) Ref Type Journal Article Periodical, Full International journal of preventive medicine Periodical, Abbrev. Int.J.Prev.Med. Pub Date Free Form Dec Volume 5 Issue Suppl 2 Start Page S77 Other Pages 82 Notes LR: 20150711; JID: 101535380; OID: NLM: PMC4476010; OTO: NOTNLM; 2014/06/20 [received]; 2014/11/08 [accepted]; ppublish Place of Publication Iran ISSN/ISBN 2008-7802; 2008-7802 Accession Number PMID: 26157571 Language eng SubFile Journal Article; Review DOI Output Language Unknown(0) PMID 26157571 Abstract BACKGROUND: As the first experience of substance abuse often starts in adolescence, and studies have shown that drug use is mainly related to cigarette and alcohol consumption, an initial exploration of substance abuse prevalence, including cigarette and alcohol, seems to be the first step in preventing and controlling drug consumption. This study aimed to explore studies on drug use among high school students by investigating articles published in the past decade in Iran. METHODS: In this study, the databases inside the country were used to access articles related to substance abuse by students during 2001-2011, among which 7 articles on 14-19 years old high school students were studied. RESULTS: The seven studied articles showed that the highest drug use prevalence pertained to cigarette and hookah, followed by alcohol, opium, ecstasy, hashish and heroin. Opium and heroin use in Kerman city were, respectively, about 4 and 5 times of their use in other studied cities. CONCLUSIONS: Drug use is relatively high in the adolescent and effective group of the society, which requires particular attention and prompt and immediate intervention. Descriptors Links Book Title Database Publisher Data Source Authors Nahvizadeh,M.M., Akhavan,S., Arti,S., Qaraat,L., Geramian,N., Farajzadegan,Z., Heidari,K. Original/Translated Title URL Date of Electronic PMCID PMC4476010 Editors
Spatial and seasonal variability of urinary trihalomethanes concentrations in urban settings	2014	Water and Health Laboratory, Cyprus International Institute for Environmental and Public Health in association with the Harvard School of Public Health, Cyprus University of Technology, Irenes 95, Limassol 3041, Cyprus.; Water and Health Laboratory, Cypru	Read more...
Source Type Print(0) Ref Type Journal Article Periodical, Full Environmental research Periodical, Abbrev. Environ.Res. Pub Date Free Form Nov Volume 135 Issue Start Page 289 Other Pages 295 Notes CI: Copyright (c) 2014; JID: 0147621; 0 (Trihalomethanes); OTO: NOTNLM; 2014/07/14 [received]; 2014/09/19 [revised]; 2014/09/22 [accepted]; 2014/10/14 [aheadofprint]; ppublish Place of Publication United States ISSN/ISBN 1096-0953; 0013-9351 Accession Number PMID: 25462678 Language eng SubFile Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't; IM DOI 10.1016/j.envres.2014.09.015 [doi] Output Language Unknown(0) PMID 25462678 Abstract A complex network of sources and routes of exposure to disinfection by-products (DBP), such as trihalomethanes (THM) has been driving the wide variability of daily THM intake estimates in environmental epidemiological studies. We hypothesized that the spatiotemporal variability of THM exposures could be differentially expressed with their urinary levels among residents whose households are geographically clustered in district-metered areas (DMA) receiving the same tap water. Each DMA holds unique drinking-water pipe network characteristics, such as pipe length, number of pipe leaking incidences, number of water meters by district, average minimum night flow and average daily demand. The present study assessed the spatial and seasonal variability in urinary THM levels among residents (n=310) of geocoded households belonging to two urban DMA of Nicosia, Cyprus, with contrasting water network properties. First morning urine voids were collected once in summer and then in winter. Results showed that the mean sum of the four urinary THM analytes (TTHM) was significantly higher during summer for residents of both areas. Linear mixed effects models adjusted for age, season and gender, illustrated spatially-resolved differences in creatinine-adjusted urinary chloroform and TTHM levels between the two studied areas, corroborated by differences observed in their pipe network characteristics. Additional research is warranted to shed light on the contribution of spatially-resolved and geographically-clustered environmental exposures coupled with internal biomarker of exposure measurements towards better understanding of health disparities within urban centers. Descriptors Links Book Title Database Publisher Elsevier Inc Data Source Authors Andrianou,X.D., Charisiadis,P., Andra,S.S., Makris,K.C. Original/Translated Title URL Date of Electronic 20141014 PMCID Editors

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