Development of a Complex Intervention for the Maintenance of Postpartum Smoking Abstinence: Process for Defining Evidence-Based Intervention

Notley, Caitlin; Brown, Tracey J.; Bauld, Linda; Hardeman, Wendy; Holland, Richard; Naughton, Felix; Orton, Sophie; Ussher, Michael

Abstract

Relapse to tobacco smoking for pregnant women who quit is a major public health problem. Evidence-based approaches to intervention are urgently required. This study aimed to develop an intervention to be integrated into existing healthcare. A mixed methods approach included a theory-driven systematic review identifying promising behaviour change techniques for targeting smoking relapse prevention, and qualitative focus groups and interviews with women (ex-smokers who had remained quit and those who had relapsed), their partners and healthcare professionals (N = 74). A final stage recruited ten women to refine and initially test a prototype intervention. Our qualitative analysis suggests a lack, but need for, relapse prevention support. This should be initiated by a trusted ‘credible source’. For many women this would be a midwife or a health visitor. Support needs to be tailored to individual needs, including positive praise/reward, novel digital and electronic support and partner or social support. Advice and support to use e cigarettes or nicotine replacement therapy for relapse prevention was important for some women, but others remained cautious. The resulting prototype complex intervention includes face-to-face support reiterated throughout the postpartum period, tailored digital and self-help support and novel elements such as gifts and nicotine replacement therapy (NRT).

Citation

Notley, C., Brown, T. J., Bauld, L., Hardeman, W., Holland, R., Naughton, F., Orton, S., & Ussher, M. (2019). Development of a Complex Intervention for the Maintenance of Postpartum Smoking Abstinence: Process for Defining Evidence-Based Intervention. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(11), Article 1968. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16111968

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: May 25, 2019
• Online Publication Date: Jun 3, 2019
• Publication Date: Jun 3, 2019
• Deposit Date: Jun 3, 2019
• Publicly Available Date: Jun 4, 2019
• Journal: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
• Print ISSN: 1661-7827
• Electronic ISSN: 1660-4601
• Publisher: MDPI
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 16
• Issue: 11
• Article Number: 1968
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16111968
• Keywords: Tobacco smoking relapse prevention; Postpartum women; Intervention development; Mixed methods
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/2130644
• Publisher URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/16/11/1968
• Contract Date: Jun 3, 2019