Factors Associated With Not Smoking and Ceasing Smoking During Pregnancy Among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander...

Smoking during pregnancy has been linked to serious adverse health outcomes for mother and baby.

This study aims to examine the individual and pregnancy characteristics associated with not smoking or ceasing smoking during pregnancy among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women in Australia. A cross-sectional secondary analysis of data was conducted. Records were included if the mother was Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander and had smoking status recorded. The individual and pregnancy characteristics associated with not smoking or ceasing smoking during pregnancy were assessed using mixed model logistic regressions.

A total of 49 651 women with a median age of 25 years were included. Overall, 56% (n = 27 782) reported not smoking during pregnancy and 13% reported ceasing smoking during pregnancy. The odds of not smoking were increased for those who were older, had fewer previous pregnancies, were married or in a de facto relationship, were private patients, had higher body mass index, were diagnosed with hypertension, attended more antenatal care visits, and began antenatal care earlier in pregnancy. The odds of ceasing smoking were higher for those who were married or in a de facto relationship, were private patients, began antenatal care earlier in pregnancy, had a lower number of pregnancies, and were diagnosed with hypertension.

A variety of sociodemographic, health, and antenatal care factors were associated with smoke-free pregnancies among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women. These findings inform targeted interventions and policies to enhance efforts to promote smoke-free pregnancies among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women.

Understanding the factors associated with not smoking among pregnant Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander woman can inform the development of strategies to address the harmful effects of smoking during pregnancy. This secondary analysis found that considering strategies such as tailoring supports to those who are younger or not married, evaluating programs run by different jurisdictions, and addressing barriers to receiving early and consistent antenatal care may be useful for informing the development of targeted interventions and policies and tailoring cessation support approaches.