Intention to change smoking in pregnant and postpartum women according to number of pregnancies.
BACKGROUND
The status of a pregnant woman might add to the motivation to stop smoking. However, little is known about whether women who are pregnant for the first time (primigravidae) show a motivation to quit smoking that is different from women who are pregnant at least the second time (multigravidae). The goal of the current study was to compare smoking status, urge to smoke and intention to change smoking behaviour of primigravidae and multigravidae. We hypothesized that amongst primigravidae there are less current smokers, that the smokers consume less cigarettes per day, have less urge to smoke and that more stop smoking after delivery when compared with multigravidae.


METHODS
Among 642 women postpartum who had smoked before pregnancy smoking status, the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence and intention to change smoking behaviour were assessed. The data were analysed with the Chi-square test, Mann-Whitney's U-test and the Sign-test.


RESULTS
Primigravidae smoked less cigarettes (P < 0.01) and showed less urge to smoke (P < 0.05) than multigravidae. They did not differ according to the intention to change smoking behaviour (P > 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Experience of first pregnancy does not seem to automatically induce more smoking cessation compared to multigravidae. Prevention measures are needed for primigravida women and multigravida women to the same extent.
Händel
Grit
G
Ernst-Moritz-Arndt-University Greifswald, Institute of Epidemiology and Social Medicine, 17487 Greifswald, Germany. grit.haendel@gmx.de
Hannöver
Wolfgang
W
Röske
Kathrin
K
Thyrian
Jochen R
JR
Rumpf
Hans-J
HJ
Fusch
Christoph
C
John
Ulrich
U
Hapke
Ulfert
U
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D020073:Gravidity; D006801:Humans; D033182:Intention; D049590:Postpartum Period; D011247:Pregnancy; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D014029:Tobacco Use Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis; D055815:Young Adult