title: Factors associated with active smoking, quitting, and secondhand smoke exposure among pregnant women in Greece.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pregnant women are exposed to tobacco smoke through active smoking and contact with secondhand smoke (SHS), and these exposures have a significant impact on public health. We investigated the factors that mediate active smoking, successful quitting, and SHS exposure among pregnant women in Crete, Greece.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using a cotinine-validated questionnaire, data were collected on active smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke from 1291 women who had successfully completed the first contact questionnaire of the prospective mother-child cohort (Rhea) in Crete during the 12th week of pregnancy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Active smoking at some time during pregnancy was reported by 36% of respondents, and 17% were current smokers at week 12 of gestation. Those less likely to quit smoking during pregnancy were those married to a smoker (OR, 1.76; P = 0.008), those who were multiparous (1.72; P = 0.011), and those with young husbands. Of the 832 (64%) nonsmokers, almost all (94%, n = 780) were exposed to SHS, with the majority exposed at home (72%) or in a public place (64%). Less educated women and younger women were exposed more often than their better educated and older peers (P < 0.001). Adjusting for potential confounders, parental level of education, age, and ethnicity were the main mediators of exposure to SHS during pregnancy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Active smoking and exposure to SHS are very prevalent among pregnant women in Greece. The above findings indicate the need for support of population-based educational interventions aimed at smoking cessation in both parents, as well as of the importance of establishing smoke-free environments in both private and public places.
authors.affiliation: Department of Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Crete, Greece. vardavas@edu.med.uoc.gr
authors.forename: Constantine I
authors.initials: CI
authors.lastname: Vardavas
authors.forename: Evridiki
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Patelarou
authors.forename: Leda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chatzi
authors.forename: Theano
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Roumeliotaki
authors.forename: Katerina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sarri
authors.forename: Sharon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Murphy
authors.forename: Antonis
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Koutis
authors.forename: Anthony G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Kafatos
authors.forename: Manolis
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kogevinas
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006115:Greece / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D018811:Maternal Exposure / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution
chemical_list: D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution