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Cigarette smoking during pregnancy
1Lillian Love Chair of Women's Health, University of Toronto, Ontario.
Canadian Journal of Psychiatry. Revue Canadienne De Psychiatrie
|December 1, 1995
Summary
Smoking during pregnancy is linked to numerous risk behaviors, social disadvantages, and emotional distress. Identifying and treating these issues in women of reproductive age can help reduce smoking rates in this high-risk group.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Public Health
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Smoking during pregnancy remains a significant public health concern.
- Understanding the factors associated with smoking in pregnant women is crucial for targeted interventions.
- Previous research indicates links between smoking and various socio-demographic and psychological factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of smoking in the latter half of pregnancy among Canadian women.
- To identify psycho-social, demographic, and psychiatric characteristics differentiating smokers from non-smokers.
- To explore factors distinguishing heavy smokers (more than 10 cigarettes/day) from light smokers (1-10 cigarettes/day).
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 545 pregnant women (≥20 weeks gestation) attending a prenatal clinic.
- Participants completed the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ), Fetal Health Locus of Control (FHLC), and a study-specific questionnaire.
- Data analysis focused on identifying characteristics associated with smoking status and intensity.
Main Results:
- 16.3% of women reported regular smoking in late pregnancy; 7.9% smoked over 10 cigarettes daily.
- Smokers were more likely to be younger, Canadian-born, less educated, unemployed, unmarried, and have unhealthy diets.
- Smokers reported higher rates of unplanned pregnancies, emotional/physical problems, substance use, and physical abuse; they also showed higher GHQ case status and specific FHLC beliefs.
- Social disorganization, health risks, and poor health factors explained 83.1% of the variance in smoking.
Conclusions:
- Pregnant smokers exhibit higher rates of other health risk behaviors, social disadvantage, and emotional disturbance compared to non-smokers.
- Psychiatrists can play a vital role in identifying and managing emotional and psychiatric morbidity in women of reproductive age.
- Intervention strategies targeting these high-risk factors may contribute to reducing smoking rates during pregnancy.