Abstract
Objectives: We examined the feasibility and effectiveness of an intervention to mobilize women in the social networks of pregnant smokers to support smoking cessation. Methods: This study was conducted in St. Paul, Minnesota, and Columbus, Ohio, from 2005 through 2007. Pregnant smokers (n= 82) identified a woman in their social network to help them quit smoking. The resulting dyads were randomized to either intervention (n= 54) or control (n= 28) conditions. Supporters of intervention subjects received monthly contacts from a counselor about providing effective support; supporters in the control condition were not contacted. Interviews with subjects and supporters were conducted at baseline, end of pregnancy and 3 months postpartum. Results: Compared with control subjects, intervention group subjects reported that their supporters had provided support behaviors more frequently and were more committed to helping them quit. There was a non-significant trend for more validated quits in the intervention group at the end of pregnancy: 13.0% vs. 3.6% among the controls. Quit rates decreased to 9.3% in the intervention group and 0% in the control group at 3 months postpartum. Conclusions: Increasing the frequency and quality of support from a woman in the smoker's social network is a promising prenatal smoking cessation strategy.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 134-137 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | Preventive medicine |
Volume | 50 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Mar 2010 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:This project was supported by funds from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (Grant No. 051798 ).
Copyright:
Copyright 2010 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.
Keywords
- Pregnancy
- Smoking cessation
- Social environment
- Social support