Experts’ Views on Behaviour Change Techniques for Smoking Cessation in Pregnancy: A Qualitative Study

Abidi, Fizzah B.; Laing, Libby; Cooper, Sue; Coleman, Tim; Campbell, Katarzyna A.

Abstract

Smoking during pregnancy is a global health problem which has devastating health implications. Behavioural support is an important part of smoking cessation support for pregnant women. Research has identified barriers and facilitators (B&Fs) and effective behaviour change techniques (BCTs) to aid women’s quit attempts. However, the extent to which and how these BCTs are used in practice is unclear. The research aims to establish experts’ views on how behavioural support can be optimised and techniques operationalised in clinical practice, by identifying ways to address known B&Fs to smoking cessation in pregnancy. A focus group discussion took place with six experts which highlighted how BCTs can be used in practice to support women in their quit attempt. A thematic analysis was conducted to elicit overarching themes. Five themes were found: involving the family, empowering women, using incentives to boost motivation, using practical techniques to help women with their quit attempt and managing expectations about nicotine replacement therapy. Empowering women to make their own decisions and encouraging small positive changes in smoking habits, using visual aids (e.g. growth charts) to inform women of harms of smoking to the baby and treating families holistically were deemed important.

Citation

Abidi, F. B., Laing, L., Cooper, S., Coleman, T., & Campbell, K. A. (2020). Experts’ Views on Behaviour Change Techniques for Smoking Cessation in Pregnancy: A Qualitative Study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(21), Article 7729. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17217729

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Oct 20, 2020
• Online Publication Date: Oct 22, 2020
• Publication Date: Nov 1, 2020
• Deposit Date: Oct 20, 2020
• Publicly Available Date: Oct 22, 2020
• Journal: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
• Print ISSN: 1661-7827
• Electronic ISSN: 1660-4601
• Publisher: MDPI
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 17
• Issue: 21
• Article Number: 7729
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17217729
• Keywords: Smoking cessation, Pregnancy, Behaviour change, Barriers and facilitators, Qualitative analysis, Expert group
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/4980089
• Publisher URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/17/21/7729