Abstract
women's knowledge, practices and beliefs of smoking during pregnancy - a study of low income pregnant coloured women attending public sector antenatal clinics in South Africa
Zaino Petersen - MSc (Med) thesis abstract, University of Cape Town

Background: Smoking during pregnancy is major challenge to public health despite the widespread evidence of the harmful effects of smoking to the mother and the foetus. A large number of coloured South African women continue to smoke throughout the pregnancy, and in order to develop culturally specific interventions, an understanding of their social, cultural, economical and educational background is necessary.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the knowledge, practices and beliefs of coloured pregnant women with regards to smoking during pregnancy and their ideas for a smoking cessation intervention

Methods: A cross-sectional study was used to determine the knowledge, practices and beliefs of pregnant women regarding smoking, and their preferences for an intervention. Respondents were selected from the clinic waiting room and included women who were currently smoking, who have quit smoking before or during the pregnancy and women who have never smoked. A self-administered interview tool was used. Data was analysed using SAS computer software.

Results: Of the 808 women who participated, 3 refused participation, 7 surveys were discarded because the clinic sample was too small, and 2 more questionnaires were omitted because it was not completed. Subsequently 796 women ranging from age 14- 46 were interviewed of which 45.9% were smokers, 14.7 % were quitters and 39.4% were non-smokers. 83 % of the total sample knew that nicotine is addictive, 76% knew the baby is subjected to nicotine, while 56% of women were unaware that smoking may lead to miscarriage and 45% of women did not know that smoking during pregnancy can lead to premature labour.

Conclusions: Although most women were aware of the most common dangers of smoking during pregnancy, 28% of women had no intention of quitting and 20% of those with a desire to quit have never made a quitting attempt. 7% of quitters felt that relapse is inevitable and 23% were not sure whether they will restart. In order to address the issue of smoking and relapsing during pregnancy, appropriate interventions at primary health care clinics need to be developed.

Questionnaire: Smoking during pregnancy survey (MSExcel format, 188 kb) - pregnant women.