Mothers learning about second-hand smoke (MLASS)
|
Author(s)
Becky Reynolds, Kamran Siddiqi and Heather Thomson
|
| Presenter(s) |
Becky Reynolds Specialty Registrar, Public Health, NHS Airedale, Bradford and Leeds |
Abstract Exposure to second-hand smoke during pregnancy and early infancy leads to low birthweight and childhood illnesses. 50% of newborns in the UK are exposed to tobacco smoke through maternal smoking or contact with second-hand smoke.
We aim to reduce unborn and newborn babies’ exposure to second-hand smoke through delivery of a Smoke Free Homes health education intervention with pregnant women and mothers with newborns.
Extensive consultation on the nature and delivery of the intervention took place with over 100 service users and midwives/health visitors. Behaviour change techniques from models including Social Cognitive Theory, Information-Motivation-Behavioural Skills, Control Theory, and Theory of Reasoned Action were incorporated into the design.
The result is an intervention to be delivered to women at four points along the antenatal and postnatal care pathway by routine midwifery and health visiting services. The intervention aims to increase awareness about the hazards of second-hand smoke and enable women to negotiate smoking restrictions at home. The feasibility of delivering and evaluating this intervention will be investigated.
Our study shows how the views of health providers, pregnant women, mothers with newborns, and application of behaviour change theories and techniques can be reconciled and incorporated into a comprehensive anti-smoking intervention.
|
Presenter biography Becky Reynolds is a senior registrar in public health with experience and management skills in public health in the NHS. She has an MSc in Health Promotion – Public Health, and a research interest in child and maternal health. She is supporting the chief investigator in coordinating and leading the MLASS study.
|
Source of funding: NHS Leeds
|
Declaration of interest: One of the authors, Heather Thomson is a programme director of the UKNSCC planning group
|
| |
