Smoking and alcohol consumption during pregnancy. The situation in Greece

Abstract

First and second hand smoke exposure, together with alcohol consumption, are the most considerable risk factors during pregnancy leading to a variety of unfavorable pregnancy outcomes.

Aim:

• To study the smoking and alcohol status of pregnant women.

• To study their beliefs about breastfeeding as a smoker

Methods: The research was conducted between May 2016 and May 2018 in two public Maternity hospitals in Athens, Greece. A structured questionnaire was filled out by 1100 pregnant women.

Results:

• 46.73% of pregnant women reported being active smokers at the beginning of their pregnancy.

• 17.55% of them reported having continued to smoke during pregnancy.

• 20% of pregnant women had tried an electronic cigarette, even though 85% of them believed that electronic cigarette is harmful.

• 58.2% of pregnant women consumed alcohol before pregnancy, and only 11% of them continued to do so throughout their pregnancies.

• 82.5% of the pregnant women believed that smoking affects the quality of their milk, and 91% of them reported that they want to breastfeed. Still, they think that it is better not if they couldn’t manage to quit.

• 10.5% of pregnant women reported that second hand smoke exposure is not harmful to their fetus.

Conclusion: A significant percentage of pregnant smokers did continue to smoke throughout their pregnancy. Quitting alcohol during pregnancy seems easier according to the successful quitting rates. The pregnants were not adequately informed about smoking and breastfeeding. Smoking cessation clinics should be created inside maternity hospitals in Greece and should be manned with specially trained health professionals.