Solution-focused approaches to tobacco reduction with disadvantaged prenatal clients

Despite high rates of smoking among socioeconomically disadvantaged pregnant women, few tobacco cessation programs have been geared for this client group. This article describes newly developed strategies for addressing tobacco reduction with disadvantaged, high-risk prenatal clients enrolled in a community-based Pregnancy Outreach Program in a northern Canadian city. The new tobacco reduction strategies were based on "solution-focused" approaches to interviewing and counseling. Process evaluations conducted with program staff revealed that solution-focused approaches provided effective, client-centered, respectful ways of discussing tobacco reduction with disadvantaged clients. Solution-focused approaches also positively impacted clients' sense of self-efficacy regarding tobacco reduction. The benefits of using solution-focused approaches as an alternative approach to tobacco reduction with disadvantaged prenatal clients are discussed.