Feasibility and Acceptability of ‘Opt-In’ Referrals for Stop Smoking Support in Pregnancy

Campbell, Katarzyna Anna; Campbell, Katarzyna A.; Orton, Sophie; Bowker, Katharine; Cooper, Sue; Coleman, Tim

Abstract

Background: International guidelines recommend that following an early-pregnancy 'opt-out' referral for smoking cessation support, pregnant women who smoke should also be offered referrals at subsequent antenatal appointments ('opt-in' referrals). We assessed feasibility and acceptability of introducing 'opt-in', self-referral forms to stop smoking services (SSS) in antenatal clinics. Method: A 'before-after' service evaluation and qualitative interviews. 'Opt-in' self-referral forms were distributed by reception staff to women attending antenatal ultrasound appointments. We collected hospital/SSS data for the study period and a comparison period 12 months prior. Reception staff were interviewed and data analyzed thematically. Results: Over 6500 women entered antenatal care in each period; ~15% smoked and ~50% of those who smoked were referred 20 to SSS at their first appointment. In the study period, 17.4% of women completed 'opt-in' forms, of these 17.3% smoked, 23.1% of those who smoked requested a referral. Staff thought new procedures had minimal impact on workload, but were easy to forget. They believed the pathway would be better delivered by midwifery staff, with additional information/advice to improve engagement. Conclusions: 'Opt-in' referrals in later pregnancy result in significant numbers of women who smoke indicating interest in smoking cessation support. Additional training and support is necessary to motivate reception staff to oversee self-referral pen-and-paper procedures effectively.

Citation

Campbell, K. A., Campbell, K. A., Orton, S., Bowker, K., Cooper, S., & Coleman, T. (2019). Feasibility and Acceptability of ‘Opt-In’ Referrals for Stop Smoking Support in Pregnancy. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(8), 1-10. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16081358

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Apr 11, 2019
• Online Publication Date: Apr 16, 2019
• Publication Date: Apr 2, 2019
• Deposit Date: Apr 15, 2019
• Publicly Available Date: Apr 15, 2019
• Journal: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
• Electronic ISSN: 1660-4601
• Publisher: MDPI
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 16
• Issue: 8
• Article Number: 1358
• Pages: 1-10
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16081358
• Keywords: smoking cessation; pregnancy; 'opt-in' referrals
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1799546
• Publisher URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/16/8/1358