Midwives' attitudes to smoking and smoking cessation in pregnancy

Abstract

This qualitative study used a phenomenological approach to explore seven midwives' attitudes towards smoking and smoking cessation in pregnant women. Purposeful sampling was used. Semi-structured interviews were undertaken for data collection, and a thematic analysis was used, based on Colaizzi's approach. Four themes emerged from the data: relationships; context of smoking; competing issues; and competence in smoking cessation. The themes of relationships, context of smoking and competence in smoking cessation correlate with existing literature. However, the theme of competing issues shows an aspect of the phenomenon not previously seen in midwifery or nursing literature. Further research on this may be beneficial.