Smoking cessation in pregnancy. Intervention among heavy smokers

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the effects of a low cost multicomponent intervention program among pregnant heavy smokers.

Design: A randomized controlled experimental trial.

Setting: The National Hospital, Oslo, Norway.

Subjects: 104 pregnant women smoking 10 cigarettes or more daily at the time of routine ultrasound screening around the 18th week of pregnancy.

Intervention: Around the 18th week of gestation the women received information about the dangers of smoking in pregnancy together with a self-help manual. The manual was developed especially for pregnant women to aid smoking cessation during a 10 day program. A control ultrasound was performed around the 32nd week of pregnancy. Two encouraging reminders were mailed to them before and after the control ultrasound.

Main outcome measures: Changes in smoking pattern were investigated at delivery time. Smoking cessation, reduction, increase and no change in smoking consumption was registered.

Results: 20% stopped smoking and 65% reduced their smoking in the intervention group compared to 4% and 38% respectively in the control group. 11% in the intervention group did not change their smoking habit and 4% increased their consumption compared to 36% and 22% respectively in the control group. The differences were highly significant.

Conclusion: This low cost multiple intervention model seems more effective than other intervention models investigated in Norway. The resources invested are probably within the limits of the common pregnancy health care.