"Nobody smokes in the house if there's a new baby in it": Aboriginal perspectives on smoking in pregnancy and in the household in regional NSW Australia

Gould, Gillian S., Munn, Joanne, Avuri, Sandra, Hoff, Susan, Cadet-James, Yvonne, McEwen, Andy, and Clough, Alan R. (2013) "Nobody smokes in the house if there's a new baby in it": Aboriginal perspectives on smoking in pregnancy and in the household in regional NSW Australia. Women and Birth, 26 (4). pp. 246-253.

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Abstract

Background Smoking prevalence in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander pregnant women is quadruple that of non-Indigenous counterparts, impacting on the health of babies and children.

Aims To explore attitudes and experiences related to prenatal smoking by Aboriginal women and household smoking, and to provide recommendations for culturally appropriate interventions.

Methods We conducted five focus groups with clients and family members of a regional NSW Aboriginal maternity service (n=18). Committees, including Aboriginal representatives, oversaw the study. We analysed transcripts with the constant comparative method and developed key categories.

Findings Categories included: social and family influences, knowing and experiencing the health effects of smoking, responses to health messages, cravings and stress, giving up and cutting down, managing smoke-free homes and cars, and community recommendations. Smoking in pregnancy and passive smoking were acknowledged as harmful for babies and children. Anti-tobacco messages and cessation advice appeared more salient when concordant with women's lived experience. Reduced cigarette consumption was reported in pregnancy. Despite smoking in the home, families were engaged in the management of environmental tobacco smoke to reduce harm to babies and children. Abstinence was difficult to initiate or maintain with the widespread use of tobacco in the social and family realm.

Conclusion Anti-tobacco messages and interventions should relate to Aboriginal women's experiences, improve understanding of the quitting process, support efficacy, and capitalise on the positive changes occurring in smoke-free home management. Focus group participants recommended individual, group and family approaches, and access to cessation services and nicotine replacement therapy for Aboriginal pregnant women who smoke.

Item ID: 28933
Item Type: Article (Research - C1)
ISSN: 1871-5192
Keywords: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders; Oceania Ancestry Group; pregnant women; tobacco smoking; passive smoking; smoking cessation; nicotine replacement therapy
Funders: National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), Department of Health and Ageing Indigenous Tobacco Control Initiative, National Heart Foundation
Projects and Grants: No Smokes North Coast, APP1039759
Date Deposited: 11 Sep 2013 01:32
FoR Codes: 11 MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES > 1117 Public Health and Health Services > 111701 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health @ 70%
11 MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES > 1117 Public Health and Health Services > 111708 Health and Community Services @ 10%
11 MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES > 1117 Public Health and Health Services > 111716 Preventive Medicine @ 20%
SEO Codes: 92 HEALTH > 9202 Health and Support Services > 920208 Health Inequalities @ 25%
92 HEALTH > 9203 Indigenous Health > 920301 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health - Determinants of Health @ 50%
92 HEALTH > 9202 Health and Support Services > 920205 Health Education and Promotion @ 25%
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