Identifying risk factors for postpartum tobacco use.

PURPOSE

To identify factors associated with becoming a mother that may contribute to postpartum smoking-related outcomes.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional, correlational.

METHODS

Postpartum women (N=133) who were clients in a nutrition supplement program for low-income families responded to questionnaires about smoking and early motherhood experiences. Inferential statistical tests included hierarchical multiple and logistic regression.

FINDINGS

After controlling for factors known to be associated with smoking outcomes for the general population, factors associated with becoming a mother significantly contributed to the amount of explained variance in both postpartum self-efficacy to refrain from smoking and smoking within 2 weeks after delivery.

CONCLUSIONS

Study findings indicated that prenatal intentions about postpartum tobacco use and maternal response to infant cry episodes were areas for risk assessment that might lead to effective smoking cessation interventions uniquely tailored to women who experience becoming a mother.