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., …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: 1660-4601
• 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