Smoking cessation and nicotine replacement therapy in current primary maternity care.
OBJECTIVE
To determine attitudes, activity and confidence among general practitioners and midwives about smoking cessation practice, and use of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) during pregnancy and breastfeeding.


METHODS
A postal survey of 780 New Zealand health professionals providing maternity care.


RESULTS
274 GPs (82 practising obstetrics) and 184 midwives responded (RR: 64%), with most (88% GPs, 77% midwives) regarding providing smoking cessation advice integral to their job. Only about half gave smoking cessation advice to most pregnant women who smoked. They were uncertain about the safety of NRT use in pregnant and breastfeeding women. Most respondents requested more information about NRT use.


CONCLUSIONS
Smoking cessation practice falls short of respondents' beliefs about good practice and current recommendations.
Wellington School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Otago, New Zealand. spullon@wnmeds.ac.nz
Susan
S
Pullon
Melanie
M
Webster
Deborah
D
McLeod
Cheryl
C
Benn
Sonya
S
Morgan
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D005194:Family Practice / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008427:Maternal Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008880:Midwifery / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009520:New Zealand; D009538:Nicotine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011247:Pregnancy; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
D009538:Nicotine