Prevention of relapse in women who quit smoking during pregnancy

Am J Public Health. 1999 May;89(5):706-11. doi: 10.2105/ajph.89.5.706.

Abstract

Objectives: This study is an evaluation of relapse prevention interventions for smokers who quit during pregnancy.

Methods: Pregnant smokers at 2 managed care organizations were randomized to receive a self-help booklet only, prepartum relapse prevention, or prepartum and postpartum relapse prevention. Follow-up surveys were conducted at 28 weeks of pregnancy and at 8 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months postpartum.

Results: The pre/post intervention delayed but did not prevent postpartum relapse to smoking. Prevalent abstinence was significantly greater for the pre/post intervention group than for the other groups at 8 weeks (booklet group, 30%; prepartum group, 35%; pre/post group, 39%; P = .02 [different superscripts denote differences at P < .05]) and at 6 months (booklet group, 26%, prepartum group, 24%; pre/post group, 33%; P = .04) postpartum. A nonsignificant reduction in relapse among the pre/post group contributed to differences in prevalent abstinence. There was no difference between the groups in prevalent abstinence at 12 months postpartum.

Conclusions: Relapse prevention interventions may need to be increased in duration and potency to prevent post-partum relapse.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Multicenter Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Counseling / methods*
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Health Maintenance Organizations
  • Humans
  • Pamphlets
  • Patient Education as Topic / methods*
  • Postnatal Care / methods*
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications / prevention & control*
  • Prenatal Care / methods*
  • Program Evaluation
  • Recurrence
  • Smoking Cessation / methods*
  • Smoking Prevention*
  • Telephone
  • Treatment Outcome