Kerketta Anna Salomi, Panda Arpita, Parida Jayashree, Nath Binapani, Swain Suchismita, Sharma Arpita Kar, Singh Prashant Kumar, Singh Shalini, Pati Sanghamita, Acharya Subhendu Kumar
ICMR-Regional Medical Research Centre, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India.
ICMR- National Institute of Cancer Prevention and Research (NICPR), New Delhi, India.
Sci Rep. 2025 Aug 18;15(1):30242. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-15853-5.
Smokeless tobacco (SLT) consumption has several adverse impacts on pregnancy and child health outcomes, particularly among women in low-income settings. SLT use during pregnancy heightens the risks, like preterm births, stillbirth, babies with low birth weight, and small for gestational age. The present qualitative study explored the patterns and contributing factors associated with SLT use behavior among pregnant and lactating mothers in slum settings. We conducted a qualitative study using in-depth interviews among pregnant and lactating women aged 18-49 years in the slums of Bhubaneswar. All participants were current users of smokeless tobacco (SLT) with a history of more than one year of consumption. The interviews were analyzed using a thematic analysis approach. Participants primarily consumed SLT products such as Paan, Khaini, Areca Nut, Gundi, Dukta, Gudakhu, and Gutkha, with consumption patterns varying based on personal preference, cravings, and affordability. 45% of pregnant women and 55% of lactating women reported consuming SLT immediately after waking up. Economic constraints influenced product preferences and consumption frequency. Key factors influencing SLT use included peer and family influence, stress relief, pregnancy-induced craving, curiosity, individual attitude and beliefs, to remaining engaged in work. Also, the study finding shows long-term effects of SLT use among pregnant and lactating women. Notably, 52.5% (n = 21) of participants started SLT use during their adolescence and 57.5% (n = 23) had no formal education. For the enrolled pregnant women and lactating mothers, the mean age of SLT initiation was 14.95 years and 12.58 years, respectively, indicating a significantly longer history of tobacco consumption. The present study provides a detailed qualitative understanding of the use of smokeless tobacco among pregnant and lactating mothers living in low-income settings like slums. The findings of this study have strong explanations to support healthcare professionals and policymakers in undertaking interventions and promoting anti-tobacco campaigns and awareness programmes addressing the health hazards for maternal and neonatal health.
无烟烟草（SLT）的消费对妊娠和儿童健康结局有若干不利影响，在低收入环境中的女性中尤为如此。孕期使用无烟烟草会增加早产、死产、低出生体重儿和小于胎龄儿等风险。本定性研究探讨了贫民窟环境中怀孕和哺乳期母亲无烟烟草使用行为的模式及影响因素。我们在布巴内斯瓦尔的贫民窟对18至49岁的怀孕和哺乳期妇女进行了深入访谈，开展了一项定性研究。所有参与者均为无烟烟草（SLT）的当前使用者，且有一年以上的消费史。采用主题分析法对访谈进行分析。参与者主要消费诸如槟榔、嚼烟、槟榔果、贡迪、杜卡、古达胡和古特卡等无烟烟草产品，消费模式因个人偏好、渴望程度和支付能力而异。45%的孕妇和55%的哺乳期妇女报告称醒来后立即使用无烟烟草。经济限制影响了产品偏好和消费频率。影响无烟烟草使用的关键因素包括同伴和家庭影响、缓解压力、孕期渴望、好奇心、个人态度和信念以及继续工作的需要。此外，研究结果显示了孕期和哺乳期妇女使用无烟烟草的长期影响。值得注意的是，52.5%（n = 21）的参与者在青少年时期开始使用无烟烟草，57.5%（n = 23）没有接受过正规教育。对于纳入研究的孕妇和哺乳期母亲，开始使用无烟烟草的平均年龄分别为14.95岁和12.58岁，表明烟草消费史明显更长。本研究对生活在贫民窟等低收入环境中的怀孕和哺乳期母亲使用无烟烟草情况进行了详细的定性了解。本研究结果为支持医疗保健专业人员和政策制定者开展干预措施、推动反烟草运动以及提高对孕产妇和新生儿健康危害的认识方案提供了有力依据。
