The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #38655

Rhonda H. Sarnoff, DrPH and Gilberto Chavez, MD, MPH. Maternal and Child Health Branch, California Department of Health Services, 1947 Center Street Room 200, Berkeley, CA 94704, 510-540-2459, rsarnoff@dhs.ca.gov

Background: Prenatal cigarette smoking is the single most important modifiable risk for pregnancy-related morbidity and mortality in the United States. Despite declines in the prevalence of prenatal smoking over the past decade, nationally, 12.3 percent1 of pregnant women smoke. Clinical practice guidelines recommend that clinicians offer effective smoking cessation interventions to pregnant smokers. This study examines the prevalence of prenatal smoking cessation assistance and the sociodemographic characteristics of women who are more likely to receive assistance. Methods: Data are from the 1999 and 2000 Maternal and Infant Health Assessment (MIHA), an annual statewide-representative mail/telephone survey of mothers with live births in California. The study sample includes 670 women who reported smoking during pregnancy, received prenatal care, and reported whether they received cessation assistance from their prenatal care provider. Multivariate models were used to analyze sociodemographic characteristics of women that are independently associated with cessation assistance. Results: Overall, 10.5% of the respondents report smoking during pregnancy. One-third of the smokers who receive prenatal care receive help in quitting from their prenatal providers. African American women are more likely than white non-Latina women to report assistance. Women at least 35 years of age are more likely than younger women to report assistance. Medicaid coverage during pregnancy is associated with cessation assistance among African American women. Conclusion: Two-thirds of pregnant smokers do not receive recommended cessation services. Health system changes that insure adequate reimbursement for cessation programs, specify recommended services in contract negotiations, and monitor access in quality of care reviews are recommended.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize that a large proportion of pregnant women may still not have access to recommended smoking cessation services.

Keywords: Smoking Cessation, Quality of Care

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.