Smoking during pregnancy: comparison of self-reports and cotinine levels in 496 women.

OBJECTIVE: To validate self-reported smoking habits in smoking pregnant women and estimate the prevalence of substantial exposure to passive smoking in non-smoking pregnant women. DESIGN: Retrospective, quantitative study, consecutively collected samples. SETTING: One antenatal clinic in Blekinge County, Sweden. SUBJECTS: 509 pregnant women. METHOD: Information about smoking habits were taken from the antenatal records of 496 women (97%). Serum samples from these women were tested for cotinine, a nicotine metabolite. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Self-reported smoking habits and cotinine levels in ng/mL. RESULTS: Of 407 women, reporting to be non-smokers, 6% were most likely smokers, and 3% had cotinine levels suggesting exposure to substantial passive smoking. Of 60 women, reporting smoking 1-10 cigarettes per day, 32% were likely to smoke more. CONCLUSION: If the true facts about exposure to tobacco smoke are not revealed, a number of women who might benefit from information and support at the antenatal clinic will miss the opportunity of such assistance, resulting in increased risks for both the woman and her fetus.

Locus of control in relation to smoking cessation during pregnancy.

AIMS: This study was carried out to investigate how the locus of control (LOC) varies between those who stop smoking in connection with pregnancy and those who do not. The LOC reflects the extent to which a person is in control of her or his life events. METHODS: One hundred and two women who were regular smokers at the time of conception and paid their first visits to the antenatal clinic (ANC) on account of the current pregnancy participated. The study was quantitative and questionnaire based, covering background factors, smoking habits, and the LOC. One hundred of the women were met a second time after the delivery. Smoking habits were monitored by the content of carbon monoxide in expired air. The LOC was recorded on a VAS scale (0-10). A lower index was consistent with a more internal LOC and a higher with a more external LOC. RESULTS: The median LOC found was 4.0 (range 1.1-7.9). The LOC was not correlated to the CO in expired air. Younger age was linked to a more internal LOC, while worse sleep was correlated to a more external LOC (p<0.05). No differences were found between those who stopped smoking and those who did not. This was the case in both light and heavy smokers. CONCLUSION: The LOC does not seem to influence the ability to stop smoking during pregnancy.