Through a special education program, many pregnant women at public clinics were able to kick their smoking habit, according to a new School of Medicine study. However, pregnant women at private clinics did not benefit nearly as much from smoking cessation techniques.
About 20 percent of patients at public clinics stopped smoking compared with less than 5 percent at private clinics. Strategies consisted of instructions for health-care professionals and a seven-day smoking cessation manual.
"We found intervention techniques worked well in public clinics where 30 percent to 40 percent of women are smokers," said John Thorp, associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology. "However, in private clinics where only 2 percent to 3 percent of women smoke, the strategies were not effective."
Researchers also found the prevalence of smokers was the best predictor of smoking reduction or quitting.
"In clinics where 20 percent of patients smoke, it's likely that 25 percent of smokers will reduce their cigarette intake by half or more," Thorp said.
For the assessment, 3,291 women were screened at five public and five private clinics in North Carolina. At each visit, patients provided a report of smoking habits and were tested for carbon monoxide levels.
Because of the success of the smoking cessation project, Thorp has recommended that the North Carolina state health director incorporate behavioral intervention strategies into prenatal care at health departments.
Others involved in the study were Lydia N. Wright, fellow in obstetrics and gynecology; Laurie Pahel-Short, resident in obstetrics and gynecology; Katherine Hartmann, resident in obstetrics and gynecology; and J.A. Kuller, assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology.
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