Smoking and smoking cessation among Flemish women during pregnancy and postpartum

Tobacco use is an alarming public health problem worldwide and causes significant morbidity and mortality. Globally, 22% of the world’s population over 15 years are smokers. Smoking affects both male and female fertility in their reproductive age. Smoking during pregnancy is one of the single most important avoidable causes of adverse pregnancy outcomes.

This book provides an overview of the determinants of smoking and smoking cessation during pregnancy and postpartum, based on the levels of the socio-ecological model. A qualitative study explores knowledge, beliefs and practice among midwives and gynaecologists concerning smoking cessation among pregnant women. The second study tests the factorial structure, validity and reliability of the Dutch version of the Modified Reasons for Smoking Scale in a sample of smoking pregnant women. The third study obtains insight into the associations between smoking patterns and depressive feelings during pregnancy and postpartum, taking into account several sociodemographic characteristics. The final study analyses the association between smoking cessation beliefs and smoking status, and between smoking cessation beliefs and intention to quit smoking, using the Theory of Planned Behaviour in pregnant smokers and ex-smokers.

After presenting and discussing the results, recommendations and directions for further research are formulated, based on the socio-ecological model.

Katrien De Wilde is doctor in health sciences. After working for seven years at the delivery ward, she started as a lector in the midwifery education. Presently, she is head of the midwifery and nursing education at Odisee University College (Belgium) and is involved in several research projects regarding health promotion.