"The frequent contacts women have with health professionals during pregnancy may provide valuable opportunities to discuss alcohol and tobacco use and encourage behavior changes," said study author Judith K. Ockene, a professor of medicine and chief of the division of preventive and behavioral medicine at the University of Massachusetts Medical School.

The study involved interviews with 600 pregnant women in the Boston area who were current smokers or had quit when they learned they were pregnant. All of the participants were receiving prenatal care from a publicly funded program.

Ockene and her research team found that 80 percent of the women quit drinking alcohol when they learned they were pregnant, while only 27 percent of the women quit smoking.

The women who stopped drinking had social support from family and friends. On the other hand, the women who continued to smoke had a greater addiction to nicotine, as well as a partner who smoked.

The researchers determined that healthcare professionals play an important role in filling the gap for those women who don't receive support from relatives and friends.

"It is important for clinicians to be aware of and acknowledge the difficulties these women face, and to help them develop motivation and skills to engage their partners and support systems in their cessation attempts," Ockene said.

The study's results are published in the October 2002 issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

COMMENTS ON THIS ARTICLE:

SUBMIT A COMMENT:

Submissions are held for review and approval.
Please read the guidelines before posting.

Name:
Comment: (limit 250 words)
Enter this word (help):	Change

Guidelines for comments