Pregnant Smokers' Experiences and Opinions of Techniques Aimed to Address Barriers and Facilitators to Smoking Cessation: A Qualitative Study

Citation

Campbell KA, Fergie L, Coleman T, Cooper S & Ussher M (2019) Pregnant Smokers' Experiences and Opinions of Techniques Aimed to Address Barriers and Facilitators to Smoking Cessation: A Qualitative Study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16 (15), Art. No.: 2772. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16152772

Abstract
Pregnant women experience certain barriers and facilitators (B&Fs) when trying to quit smoking. This study aimed to elicit women’s views on techniques that could help overcome or enhance these. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 pregnant women who had experience of smoking during pregnancy. Participants were prompted to discuss experiences of B&Fs and give suggestions of techniques that could address these appropriately. A thematic analysis was conducted using the one sheet of paper method. Four themes relating to suggested techniques were identified: accessing professional help, nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), distraction, and social interactions. Experiences of accessing professional help were generally positive, especially if there was a good rapport with, and easy access to a practitioner. Most women were aware of NRT, those who had used it reported both negative and positive experiences. Praise and encouragement from others towards cessation attempts appeared motivating; peer support groups were deemed useful. Women reported experiencing B&Fs which fell under four themes: influence of others, internal motivation, cues to smoke, and health. Overall, accessing professional support generated positive changes in smoking habits. Establishing ways of how to encourage more women to seek help and raising awareness of different types of support available would seem beneficial

Keywords
smoking in pregnancy; smoking cessation; behavior change techniques; qualitative research; interviews

Journal
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health: Volume 16, Issue 15

People

Professor Michael Ussher

Professor of Behavioural Medicine, Institute for Social Marketing