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Healthcare Professionals’ Beliefs, Attitudes, Knowledge, and Behavior Around Vaping in Pregnancy and Postpartum: A Qualitative Study

Hunter, Abby; Yargawa, Judith; Notley, Caitlin; Nath, Srabani; Ussher, Michael; Bobak, Alex; Murray, Rachael L; Cooper, Sue

Healthcare Professionals’ Beliefs, Attitudes, Knowledge, and Behavior Around Vaping in Pregnancy and Postpartum: A Qualitative Study Thumbnail


Authors

Abby Hunter

Judith Yargawa

Caitlin Notley

Srabani Nath

Michael Ussher

Alex Bobak

Sue Cooper



Abstract

Introduction: Finding effective ways to help pregnant women quit smoking and maintain long-term abstinence is a public health priority. Electronic cigarettes (i.e., vaping) could be a suitable cessation
tool in pregnancy for those who struggle to quit, however, healthcare professionals (HCP) must be informed about these devices to offer appropriate advice. This study used the Capability, Opportunity, Motivation and Behaviour (COM-B) model and Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) to explore HCP attitudes towards vaping in pregnancy and postpartum; beliefs about the health risks
of vaping; perceived barriers and facilitators of vaping in pregnancy; knowledge of current guidelines and policies; and training needs.

Methods: Interviews (n=60) were conducted with midwives (n=17), health visitors (n=10), general practitioners (GPs) (n=15) and stop smoking specialists (n=18) across the UK. Interview transcriptions
were analysed thematically using the framework approach and the COM-B.

Results: Discussing vaping as a tool for quitting smoking in pregnancy was prevented by a lack of capability (limited knowledge of ECs, lack of training in smoking cessation); lack of opportunity (restricted by organisational policies and guidelines, lack of time and financial issues impacting on training), and negative social influences (sensationalist media and stigma associated with vaping in pregnancy); and lack of motivation (fear of future litigation and comebacks should adverse effects from vaping arise).

Conclusions: Factors related to capability, opportunity and motivation were identified that influence HCPs attitudes and behaviours towards vaping in pregnancy. Gaps in knowledge and training needs were identified, which could inform the development of targeted vaping training.

Citation

Hunter, A., Yargawa, J., Notley, C., Nath, S., Ussher, M., Bobak, A., …Cooper, S. (2021). Healthcare Professionals’ Beliefs, Attitudes, Knowledge, and Behavior Around Vaping in Pregnancy and Postpartum: A Qualitative Study. Nicotine and Tobacco Research, 23(3), 471–478. https://doi.org/10.1093/ntr/ntaa126

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Jul 2, 2020
Online Publication Date Jul 5, 2020
Publication Date 2021-03
Deposit Date Jul 1, 2020
Publicly Available Date Mar 28, 2024
Journal Nicotine & Tobacco Research
Print ISSN 1462-2203
Publisher Oxford University Press (OUP)
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 23
Issue 3
Pages 471–478
DOI https://doi.org/10.1093/ntr/ntaa126
Keywords Electronic cigarettes, Qualitative research, Pregnancy-treatment, intervention, Public health
Public URL https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/4741923
Publisher URL https://academic.oup.com/ntr/article-abstract/doi/10.1093/ntr/ntaa126/5867497