A survey of smoke exposure during pregnancy in minority women

BACKGROUND

Smoking is the single most important modifiable risk factor associated with morbidity and mortality during pregnancy. Although minority women are less likely to smoke tobacco during pregnancy than their non-minority counterparts, there is scant literature describing their secondhand smoke exposure.

METHODS

A survey was designed by the investigators to assess tobacco smoke exposure among pregnant women in a county hospital outpatient setting. Over a six-month period in 2007, pregnant patients were asked to complete an anonymous survey on smoke exposure during pregnancy. Completed surveys were collected from a labeled box at the end of clinic.

RESULTS

Ninety-six pregnant women participated. Fifty percent of respondents were Hispanic, and 45.8% were Black/African-American. 5.2% of respondents indicated they were currently smoking cigarettes during pregnancy. Overall, 11.5% of women quit smoking when they found out they were pregnant. 21.9% of women indicated they live with smokers, and another 13.5% indicated they work with other people who smoke around them.

CONCLUSIONS

The percentage of respondents with primary smoke exposure during pregnancy was lower than the reported national estimates. A significant percentage of women reported smoke exposure at home or at work, placing the fetus and mother at risk of adverse health outcomes. Primary smoke exposure to the fetus may have occurred prior to the knowledge of pregnancy in 11.5% of women who reported quitting smoking when they found out they were pregnant. These results highlight the importance of health care professionals encouraging pregnant women to abstain from both primary and secondhand smoke exposure.