BACKGROUND: While the prevalence of young female smokers is rising among the Hong Kong Chinese population, data on their smoking pattern during pregnancy are limited. AIMS: To investigate the smoking habit of Hong Kong Chinese women and their partners during pregnancy. METHODS: Postal questionnaires were sent to 479 couples to explore their smoking patterns during pregnancy at one to two years after the index delivery. RESULTS: Questionnaires were completed by 247 subjects. Among 117 women who were ever-smokers, 26% had stopped smoking before the index pregnancy, while 60% stopped and 14% reduced smoking during the pregnancy. Most women stopped smoking in the first trimester (93%) and prior to the first antenatal visit (79%). Those who used to smoke fewer cigarettes before pregnancy were more likely to stop smoking during pregnancy but women with a history of recreational drug use were more likely to continue smoking during pregnancy. The post-partum smoking relapse rate was 59% in women who had stopped smoking before or during their pregnancy. Only 2.6% of the partners who were ever-smokers stopped smoking before the pregnancy while smoking habits remained unchanged in 52%. CONCLUSIONS: Approximately one-fifth of an unselected sample of Hong Kong mothers had a history of smoking prior to pregnancy. Pregnancy is an opportune time to implement smoking intervention programs for female smokers and their partners with an emphasis on the maintenance of post-partum smoking abstinence.
BACKGROUND: While the prevalence of young female smokers is rising among the Hong Kong Chinese population, data on their smoking pattern during pregnancy are limited. AIMS: To investigate the smoking habit of Hong Kong Chinese women and their partners during pregnancy. METHODS: Postal questionnaires were sent to 479 couples to explore their smoking patterns during pregnancy at one to two years after the index delivery. RESULTS: Questionnaires were completed by 247 subjects. Among 117 women who were ever-smokers, 26% had stopped smoking before the index pregnancy, while 60% stopped and 14% reduced smoking during the pregnancy. Most women stopped smoking in the first trimester (93%) and prior to the first antenatal visit (79%). Those who used to smoke fewer cigarettes before pregnancy were more likely to stop smoking during pregnancy but women with a history of recreational drug use were more likely to continue smoking during pregnancy. The post-partum smoking relapse rate was 59% in women who had stopped smoking before or during their pregnancy. Only 2.6% of the partners who were ever-smokers stopped smoking before the pregnancy while smoking habits remained unchanged in 52%. CONCLUSIONS: Approximately one-fifth of an unselected sample of Hong Kong mothers had a history of smoking prior to pregnancy. Pregnancy is an opportune time to implement smoking intervention programs for female smokers and their partners with an emphasis on the maintenance of post-partum smoking abstinence.
Authors: Srmena Krstev; Jelena Marinković; Snežana Simić; Nikola Kocev; Susan J Bondy Journal: Int J Public Health Date: 2011-09-16 Impact factor: 3.380
Authors: Catherine Chamberlain; Alison O'Mara-Eves; Sandy Oliver; Jenny R Caird; Susan M Perlen; Sandra J Eades; James Thomas Journal: Cochrane Database Syst Rev Date: 2013-10-23
Authors: Martin M O'Donnell; Janis Baird; Cyrus Cooper; Sarah R Crozier; Keith M Godfrey; Michael Geary; Hazel M Inskip; Catherine B Hayes Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2020-10-30 Impact factor: 3.390