Smoking cessation interventions in pregnancy: practice and views of midwives, GPs and obstetricians

Abstract

A questionnaire survey of general practitioners, midwives and obstetricians was carried out in 1992 in order to measure the delivery of, and attitudes towards, smoking cessation interventions in pregnancy. Most professionals were found to ask about the smoking status of pregnant women, record smoking status and explain the risks of smoking while pregnant. Fewer professionals gave pregnant smokers advice on how to stop or monitored and reviewed smoking status throughout pregnancy. Most experienced difficulty and a lack of enjoyment while giving smoking cessation counselling. Over half (53%) perceived themselves to be insufficiently trained, whilst few (28%) thought that they possessed the necessary skills. There is therefore a need to increase the coverage and frequency of smoking cessation counselling and to increase the level of training and skills among professionals.