Smoking during Pregnancy: Findings from the 2009–2010 Canadian Community Health Survey

Abstract

ObjectivesSmoking during pregnancy may cause many health problems for pregnant women and their newborns. However, there is a paucity of research that has examined the predictors of smoking during pregnancy in Canada. This study used data from the 2009–2010 Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) to estimate the prevalence of smoking during pregnancy and examine the demographic, socioeconomic, health-related and behavioral determinants of this behavior.Methods and FindingsThe data were obtained from the 2009–2010 CCHS master data file. Weighted estimates of the prevalence were calculated. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine demographic, socioeconomic, health related and behavioral characteristics associated with smoking behavior during pregnancy. Women living in the Northern Territories had a high rate of smoking during pregnancy (59.3%). The prevalence of smoking during pregnancy was also high among women under 25 years old, of low socioeconomic status, who reported not having a regular medical doctor, being fair to poor in self-perceived health, having at least one chronic disease, having at least one mental illness, being heavy smokers, and being regular alcohol drinkers. Results from multivariable logistic regression revealed that the odds of smoking during pregnancy were decreased with increasing age (odds ratio [OR], 0.95; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.91–0.99), having a regular family doctor [OR, 0.24; 95% CI, 0.11–0.52], having highest level of family income [OR, 0.09; 95% CI, 0.03–0.29]. Mothers who reported poor or fair self-perceived health [OR, 2.13; 95% CI, 0.96–4.71] and those who had at least one mental illness [OR, 1.81; 95% CI, 1.00–3.28] had greater odds of smoking during pregnancy.ConclusionsThere are a number of demographic, socio-economic, health-related and behavioral characteristics that should be considered in developing and implementing effective population health promotional strategies to prevent smoking during pregnancy, promoting health and well-being of pregnant women and their newborns.

Prevalence of pregnancy involvement among Canadian transgender youth and its relation to mental health, sexual health, and gender identity

“…Most items used in the survey were drawn from existing populationbased adolescent health surveys, such as the British Columbia Adolescent Health Survey (see Saewyc, Konishi, Rose & Homma, 2014) or health surveys participated in by young adults, such as the Canadian Community Health Survey (Cui, Shooshtari, Forget, Clara, & Cheung, 2014).…”

The Impact of Traditional Food and Lifestyle Behavior on Epigenetic Burden of Chronic Disease

“…[63,64] Interestingly, even in recent years of advanced healthcare advice, there is evidence that women even in developed countries do not adhere strictly to recommendations around the time of conception that will ensure optimal fetal health and by extension reduce the risk of adult NCCDs later in life ( Table 4). [149][150][151][152][153][154][155][156][157][158][159] The World Health Organization recommends supplementation with several nutrients including folic acid, iron, and others during the time of conception and gestation (Table 5), [160][161][162][163][164] which many women may fail to take, creating an intrauterine environment that is similar to that of undernutrition in some respects. Moreover, some women may indulge in unhealthy lifestyles including smoking [165] despite evidence of its adverse effects on fetal health and long term consequences on adult NCCDs.…”

“…11 states of the USA Smoking During pregnancy [157] Among 369 547 pregnant women in Canada, 23% were smokers in 2009-2010, with higher prevalence in the Northern territories (59.3%) Canada Perinatal alcohol consumption [158] Among 1594 pregnant women, 84% had consumed alcohol the year prior to pregnancy (14% considered hazardous consumption) and 6% at least once during pregnancy Sweden Perinatal alcohol consumption [159] Among 1303 pregnant women, two-thirds and half in the first trimester consumed alcohol over the Department of Health (UK) guidelines of ≤2 units per week before pregnancy Leeds, UK a)…”

Adverse effects of perinatal nicotine exposure on reproductive outcomes

“…Despite increased awareness of its detrimental effects, w10-23% of pregnant women continue to smoke worldwide, with rates higher than 50% in some communities (i.e., Northern Territories in Canada) (Tong et al 2013, Cui et al 2014. Among women who attempt to quit smoking during pregnancy, it is reported that only half will successfully abstain; the steep rates of relapse are partly attributable to the highly addictive nature of nicotine in cigarettes (Tong et al 2013, Orton et al 2014.…”