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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
Myra A. Crawford, PhD, MPH1, Lesa L. Woodby, PhD, MPH2, Dayna Janell Cook, BS Ed3, Richard A. Windsor, PhD4, and Wendy Horn, MPH, CHES2. (1) Department of Family & Community Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 930 South 20th Street, Room 325, Birmingham, AL 35205, (2) Family and Community Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 930 20th Street South, 371 CH20, Birmingham, AL 35294-2042, (3) Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 930 20th Street South, Room 371, Birmingham, AL 35294, (205) 975-2632, jwhite@fms.uab.edu, (4) School of Public Health and Health Services, George Washington University, 2175 K Street NW #810, Washington, DC 20037
Background: Decades of research have demonstrated the harm of smoking during pregnancy.
Purpose: This paper examines the attitudes and beliefs about smoking among a representative sample of pregnant Alabama females whose maternity care is supported by Medicaid.
Methods: Consenting participants were recruited from 12 public health clinics in eight Alabama counties. Survey participants (n=381) provided saliva samples and CO samples to corroborate smoking status.
Results: Descriptive analysis documented: Of 381 participants, 270 (68.5%) were nonsmokers and 102 (31.5%) were smokers. On a scale of 1-10 (10=very harmful), 75.6% nonsmokers and 65.7% smokers reported that smoking was very harmful. Also, 87.5% nonsmokers and 81.4% smokers said smoking cigarettes around children is harmful to their health; 90% nonsmokers and 75.5% smokers felt smoking during pregnancy is harmful to unborn babies; and 56.3% nonsmokers and 30.4% smokers felt it is safe to smoke as long as they only smoke >3 cigarettes a day. Smokers reported: 22.6% wanted to stop smoking; 3.9% were sure they could quit smoking for 24 hours; 22.6% were thinking about stopping at this time; and only 16% reported they planned to stop completely within 30 days.
Conclusion: Although many participants had knowledge about the harmful effects of smoking, 27 % continued to smoke during pregnancy. Data suggest a need to increase behavior modification skills and implement best practice methods in smoking cessation for this population.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to
Keywords: Pregnancy, Smoking Cessation
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.