Perspectives about smoking cessation during pregnancy and beyond of Aboriginal women in Australia: A qualitative analysis using the COM-B model.

Abstract

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women (hereafter Aboriginal) and their babies experience poor health outcomes for which smoking is a major risk factor. This paper explores Aboriginal women's perspectives on and experiences of smoking cessation, within and outside pregnancy, and their use of smoking cessation services using the COM-B (Capability, Opportunity, Motivation as determinants of Behaviour) model to understand Aboriginal women's capabilities, opportunities, and motivation for smoking cessation. Data came from 11 focus groups conducted in regional New South Wales, Australia, with 80 women aged between 16 and 68years. Thematic analysis was performed following the COM-B model. Seven themes related to capability, opportunity, motivation, and smoking cessation behaviors were identified. The themes highlighted that agency, knowledge, and self-efficacy (as capability), a supportive social environment, and access to culturally appropriate services and resources (as opportunities), together with automatic and reflective motivations for quitting, may enable short- or long-term smoking cessation. Smoking cessation interventions may be more effective if the dynamics of the COM-B factors are considered. Policy and practice changes for further enhancing regional Aboriginal women's psychological capability and supportive social environments, and making smoking cessation services culturally appropriate are warranted.