Knowledge and Attitudes of Adults towards Smoking in Pregnancy: Results from the HealthStyles© 2008 Survey

Abstract

Objectives Smoking during pregnancy is causally associated with many adverse health outcomes. Quitting smoking, even late in pregnancy, improves some outcomes. Among adults in general and reproductive-aged women, we sought to understand knowledge and attitudes towards prenatal smoking and its effects on pregnancy outcomes. Methods Using data from the 2008 HealthStyles© survey, we assessed knowledge and attitudes about prenatal smoking and smoking cessation. We classified respondents as having high knowledge if they gave ≥5 correct responses to 6 knowledge questions regarding the health effects of prenatal smoking. We calculated frequencies of correct responses to assess knowledge about prenatal smoking and estimated relative risk (RR) to examine knowledge by demographic and lifestyle factors. Results Only 15% of all respondents and 23% of reproductive-aged women had high knowledge of the adverse effects of prenatal smoking on pregnancy outcomes. Preterm birth and low birth weight were most often recognized as adverse outcomes associated with prenatal smoking. Nearly 70% of reproductive-aged women smokers reported they would quit smoking if they became pregnant without any specific reasons from their doctor. Few respondents recognized the benefits of quitting smoking after the first trimester of pregnancy. Conclusions Our results suggest that many women lack knowledge regarding the increased risks for adverse outcomes associated with prenatal smoking. Healthcare providers should follow the recommendations provided by the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, which include educating women about the health risks of prenatal smoking and the benefits of quitting. Healthcare providers should emphasize quitting smoking even after the first trimester of pregnancy.

Risk factors of placenta previa: a population based study and the review of the literature

“…The placental growth in this situation can be explained by the vasoactive properties of nicotine found in cigarettes and chronic hypoxia associated with carbon monoxide [22,23]. In the current study, a strong correlation was found between cigarette smoking and the development of placenta previa.…”

“…Some studies have reported a 2.4-fold increased risk of placenta previa in patients who smoke cigarettes [14, [21][22][23]. The placental growth in this situation can be explained by the vasoactive properties of nicotine found in cigarettes and chronic hypoxia associated with carbon monoxide [22,23].…”

Perceptions of emerging tobacco products and nicotine replacement therapy among pregnant women and women planning a pregnancy

“…Pregnant smokers are generally aware that smoking causes fetal harm and are motivated to quit smoking or reduce their exposure to harmful chemicals ( Tong et al, 2008 , Tong et al, 2013 , Polen et al, 2015 ). Therefore, pregnant women and those planning a pregnancy may be particularly susceptible to messages regarding the health effects non-combusted products.…”

A survey among women who continued smoking during pregnancy in Slovenia

“…It would be reasonable to introduce pilot support groups for women who plan to get pregnant, and for pregnant women and their partners, to offer appropriate information on smoking in pregnancy and continuous support. It is alarming that 8% of women did not see a reason to quit smoking during pregnancy, as found also by Polen et al 29 for 5% of the women. It would thus be sensible to upgrade the study with a qualitative approach and examine the reasons for not quitting smoking; it might have been ignorance of the consequences of smoking; possibly it was the women's conscious decision; or they developed such a severe addiction that they lacked the self-confidence to succeed.…”