title: Smoking during pregnancy and associated risk factors in a sample of Romanian women.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Smoking during pregnancy is one of the most modifiable risk factor for poor birth outcomes. This study assesses the prevalence and correlates of smoking during pregnancy.
  
  
  METHODS
  A questionnaire was applied to pregnant women in two urban clinics in Romania to assess smoking prevalence, attitudes and knowledge about smoking, and other risks poorly documented in Romania, such as depressive symptoms, stress and social support. The response rate was >80% and the valid sample comprised of 916 women. Descriptive statistics and logistic regressions were used to estimate the prevalence of smoking and other risk factors and to identify correlates of smoking during pregnancy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Approximately 15% of the women continued smoking during pregnancy, and 26% of all women said they smoked prior to pregnancy, but quit upon finding out they were pregnant. Depressive symptoms and stress were not associated with smoking during pregnancy. Women with no social support had higher odds of continued smoking vs. non-smoking (OR = 2.3, P < 0.01), and vs. quitting (OR = 2.3, P < 0.05). Roma women had 5.2 times the odds (P < 0.01) of continued smoking vs. non-smoking. Lack of awareness about the benefits of quitting smoking and about the risks of smoking light cigarettes were associated with continued smoking during pregnancy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Smoking was common in a sample of Romanian pregnant women. Smoking cessation programs in Romania should include components to raise the awareness about the risks of smoking during pregnancy and the benefits of quitting at any time during pregnancy. More targeted interventions are needed in Roma communities.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, Institute for Health Care Studies, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48823, USA. cristian.meghea@hc.msu.edu
authors.forename: Cristian I
authors.initials: CI
authors.lastname: Meghea
authors.forename: Diana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rus
authors.forename: Ioana A
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Rus
authors.forename: Jodi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Summers Holtrop
authors.forename: Leeanne
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Roman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D006178:Romani People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012383:Romania / Q000453:epidemiology; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014505:Urban Population