Smoking cessation support during pregnancy: A national audit of NHS stop smoking services for pregnant women in England
Author(s)
Samantha J. Fahy, Sue Cooper and Linda Bauld
Presenter(s)
Samantha Fahy Research Fellow, University of Nottingham and UKCTCS
Abstract
Smoking during pregnancy is widely known as a major public health concern yet in 2010, 26% of UK women smoked at some point during their pregnancy and 12% smoked continuously. NHS support is available during pregnancy through Stop Smoking Services for pregnant women (SSSP), however, services face considerable challenges in accessing and successfully supporting this hard to reach group. Despite a wealth of research into NHS Stop Smoking Services, to date, we know relatively little about how smoking cessation support is provided during pregnancy across England.
This presentation will explore models of service delivery in English SSSP. I draw upon results from a national online survey from which we obtained service audit information for 85% of English SSSP to consider the various aspects and issues of SSSP support. For example, the national picture of how pregnant women are identified, referred and engaged with as well as the various approaches used by SSSP to support pregnant women including behavioural support and nicotine replacement therapy. Finally, I address how this work can be used to inform evidence-based improvements for smoking cessation support during pregnancy.
Source of funding: This presentation presents independent research funded by the National Institute for Health Research under its Programme Grants for
Applied Research Programme.
