Challenges and solutions for recruiting pregnant smokers into a nicotine replacement therapy trial.
Improvements in smoking cessation interventions for pregnant smokers are needed. One major step is to examine the potential effectiveness of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). The potential benefits of providing pregnant women with NRT to help them quit smoking are still unknown; early interventions to test the effectiveness and efficacy are vital to advancing the field. This paper describes recruitment efforts for a multiclinic trial to test the effectiveness of NRT use in addition to behavioral therapy in promoting cessation during pregnancy. The biggest challenge is recruiting sufficient numbers of pregnant women. This paper discusses specific obstacles for recruitment and solutions. Knowing the potential pitfalls to recruiting pregnant women into these trials can lead to better studies and thus improved outcomes.
Pollak
Kathryn I
KI
Duke Comprehensive Cancer Center, Cancer Prevention, Detection and Control Research Program, Department of Community and Family Medicine, Durham, NC 27705, USA. kathryn.pollak@duke.edu
Oncken
Cheryl A
CA
Lipkus
Isaac M
IM
Peterson
Bercedis L
BL
Swamy
Geeta K
GK
Pletsch
Pamela K
PK
Lyna
Pauline
P
Namenek Brouwer
Rebecca J
RJ
Fish
Laura J
LJ
Myers
Evan R
ER
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001521:Behavior Therapy; D005260:Female; D005731:Ganglionic Stimulants / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic / Q000379:methods; D009538:Nicotine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D018579:Patient Selection; D011177:Postal Service; D011247:Pregnancy; D037841:Pregnant People / Q000523:psychology*; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000379:methods; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000379:methods*; D014029:Tobacco Use Disorder / Q000517:prevention & control*
D005731:Ganglionic Stimulants; D009538:Nicotine