Table 1 Distribution of selected characteristics between cases with childhood cancer and controls diagnosed or treated at PCBDCA, HC, Armenia, during 2017–2020

Family socio-demographic characteristics

Living in an urban area, %(n)

65.8 (77)

67.5 (79)

66.7 (156)

Family size, mean (SD)

5.3 (1.62)

5.2 (1.57)

5.3 (2.4)

Monthly expenditures, %(n)

Less than 100 000 drams

From 100 001-300 000 drams

Above 300 000 drams

30.2 (23)

64.5 (49)

5.2 (4)

30.4 (25)

56.1 (46)

13.4 (11)

30.4 (48)

60.1 (95)

9.5 (15)

Child’s health

Child’s age (at the interview) (years), mean (SD)**

7.1 (3.79)

5.3 (3.52)

6.2 (3.66)

Sex, %(n)

Male

Female

57.3 (67)

42.7 (50)

62.4 (73)

37.6 (44)

59.8 (140)

40.2 (94)

Low birth weight, %(n)

7.7 (9)

12.8 (15)

10.3 (24)

Birth order, mean (SD)

1.8 (0.86)

1.8 (1.03)

1.8 (0.95)

Birth defect, %(n)

4.3 (5)

3.4 (4)

3.8 (9)

Chronic disease, %(n)

7.7 (9)

8.5 (10)

8.1 (19)

X-ray before disease diagnosis, %(n)

31.6 (37)

37.6 (44)

34.6 (81)

Breastfeeding duration (months), mean (SD)

14.0 (8.59)

14.2 (8.31)

14.1 (8.45)

Pregnancy related factors

Delivery via C-section, %(n)

25.9 (30)

28.4 (33)

27.2 (63)

Folic acid during pregnancy, %(n)

38.3 (44)

53.4 (62)

45.9 (106)

Daily coffee usage during pregnancy, %(n)

68.7 (79)

58.6 (68)

63.6 (147)

Alcohol usage during pregnancy, %(n)

7.8 (9)

5.2 (6)

6.5 (15)

Number of ultrasounds during pregnancy, mean (SD)

4.7 (2.33)

5.3 (2.93)

5.0 (2.63)

Antibiotic usage during pregnancy, %(n)

10.4 (12)

6.9 (8)

8.7 (20)

Acute illness during pregnancy, %(n)

40.0 (46)

35.7 (41)

37.8 (87)

Oral contraceptive usage, %(n)

3.5 (4)

4.3 (5)

3.9 (9)

Miscarriages before getting pregnant, %(n)

21.9 (25)

21.7 (25)

21.8 (50)

Induced abortions before getting pregnant, %(n)**

30.7 (35)

12.2 (14)

21.4 (49)

Horrifying/terrifying events during the pregnancy, %(n)**

37.6 (44)

19.7 (23)

28.6 (67)

Second hand smoke exposure during pregnancy, %(n)

65.2 (75)

56.6 (65)

60.8 (140)

Parental and family characteristics

MOTHER

Mother’s age at the interview time (years), mean (SD)

33.91 (4.89)

33.24 (5.97)

33.57 (5.43)

Mother’s education, %(n)

Elementary or secondary school

Professional technical education

Institute/University or post-graduate

33.6 (39)

28.4 (33)

37.9 (44)

27.4 (32)

35.0 (41)

37.6 (44)

30.5 (71)

31.8 (74)

37.8 (88)

Marital status, %(n)

Married

Other

93.2 (109)

6.8 (8)

96.6 (113)

3.4 (4)

94.9 (222)

5.1 (12)

Ever cigarette smoking, %(n)

2.6 (3)

5.1 (6)

3.8 (9)

Current cigarette smoking, %(n)

0.0 (0)

0.9 (1)

0.45 (1)

Never using alcohol, %(n)

47.0 (55)

56.0 (65)

51.5 (120)

FATHER

Father’s age at the time of the interview (years), mean (SD)

38.6 (6.23)

37.8 (7.85)

38.2 (7.04)

Father’s education, %(n)

Elementary or secondary school

Professional technical education

Institute/University or post-graduate

47.9 (56)

20.5 (24)

31.6 (37)

41.0 (48)

19.7 (23)

39.3 (46)

44.4 (104)

20.1 (47)

35.5 (83)

Father’s ever smoking, %(n)

83.6 (97)

76.7 (89)

80.2 (186)

Current smoking, %(n)

62.8 (75)

67.5 (79)

65.5 (154)

FAMILY MEMBERS

Daily second-hand smoke exposure, %(n)

21.4 (25)

17.9 (21)

19.7 (46)

Binge drinking in family, %(n)

6.8 (8)

6.0 (7)

6.4 (15)

Core family member with diagnosed cancer, %(n)

34.2 (40)

23.1 (27)

28.6 (67)

Family environmental exposures

Pesticide usage, %(n)

21.6 (25)

18.4 (21)

20.0 (46)

Child’s presence during pesticide sprays, %(n)

5.12 (6)

1.8 (2)

3.33 (8)

Average age of the house (years), mean (SD)

35.9 (16.07)

32.8 (18.15)

34.4 (17.11)

Housing conditions, %(n)

Good

Average (meets basic needs)

Poor

32.5 (38)

61.5 (72)

6.0 (7)

26.1 (30)

67.8 (78)

6.1 (7)

29.3 (68)

64.7 (150)

6.0 (14)

Chemical industries within 10 km from the house, %(n)

13.7 (16)

12.2 (14)

12.9 (30)

Mining dump within 10 km from the house, %(n)

7.7 (9)

14.8 (17)

11.2 (26)