Association between generational status and smoking behaviors before and during pregnancy among Hispanic women

Evidence is limited on the risk of maternal smoking before and during pregnancy across generations of Hispanic immigrants.

The aim of this study was to determine whether immigration generational status predicts maternal smoking behaviors before and during pregnancy among Hispanic women.

Data on pregnancies in National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1979 were used. Current study sample consists of Hispanic women (15-24 years) reporting pregnancy between 1979 and 2014 (n = 616). Data on birthplaces of the respondent and their parents were used to determine generation status. Maternal smoking behaviors before and during pregnancy were self-reported. Data were analyzed using weighted covariate-adjusted logistic regression models.

There were 24% first-generation, 20% second-generation, and 56% third or higher generation Hispanic women in the sample. Majority of participants were married (72%), with a high school degree or more (69%), and of Mexican origin (56%). After controlling for covariates, first generation Hispanic women had lower likelihood of smoking prior to (OR = 0.40, p = 0.009) and during pregnancy (OR = 0.35, p = 0.007) compared to third or higher generation women. The second-generation women had lower likelihood of smoking during pregnancy (OR = 0.46, p = 0.038) compared to third or higher generation women.

First generation Hispanic women are at lower risk of smoking both prior to and during pregnancy. Identification of cultural factors discouraging smoking during pregnancy among first/second generation Hispanic women and incorporating in smoking prevention interventions targeting Hispanic women could benefits the later generations of Hispanic immigrants.