Abstract
We previously reported that smoking cessation (SC) services are available but lacked uniformity or consistency countrywide1. We found that 45% of service providers (SP) were collecting and analysing data on pregnancy status but 32% did not analyse it and 22% did not collect any data on pregnancy.
We aimed to look at outcomes of SC in pregnancy, provide evidence based data to improve services for this vulnerable population and aid their evaluation and effectiveness.
Using a census of all known smoking cessation programmes throughout Ireland1, SPs were asked to pilot a treatment database for a 3 month period. Many different data were entered including pregnancy status and treatment outcomes. The data were returned to TFRI for analysis using a statistical package SPSS.
A database was piloted over a 3 month period by 39 SPs. A convenience sample of 1,490 patients was recruited while attending SC service throughout Ireland and their data were entered into the database. A total of 118 pregnant women attended the smoking cessation services during this period which represents 15.6% of the females treated. They achieved a quit rate of 16.5% at 4 weeks and 16.5% at 3 months compared with 35.2% and 20.3% of the rest of the female population treated in the same time period.
The poor outcomes may be a result of the paucity of services in Ireland for this population group. The findings will facilitate planning and delivery of effective sc programmes to pregnant women ensuring equity in service provision.
References:
1. Currie et al. An evaluation of the range and availability of intensive smoking cessation services in Ireland. Ir J Med Sci 2010; 179: 77-83.
- © 2013 ERS
