Increasing support for smoking cessation during pregnancy and postpartum: Results of a randomized controlled pilot study

ObjectivesWe examined the feasibility and effectiveness of an intervention to mobilize women in the social networks of pregnant smokers to support smoking cessation.MethodsThis study was conducted in St. Paul, Minnesota, and Columbus, Ohio, from 2005 through 2007. Pregnant smokers (n = 82) identified a woman in their social network to help them quit smoking. The resulting dyads were randomized to either intervention (n = 54) or control (n = 28) conditions. Supporters of intervention subjects received monthly contacts from a counselor about providing effective support; supporters in the control condition were not contacted. Interviews with subjects and supporters were conducted at baseline, end of pregnancy and 3 months postpartum.ResultsCompared with control subjects, intervention group subjects reported that their supporters had provided support behaviors more frequently and were more committed to helping them quit. There was a non-significant trend for more validated quits in the intervention group at the end of pregnancy: 13.0% vs. 3.6% among the controls. Quit rates decreased to 9.3% in the intervention group and 0% in the control group at 3 months postpartum.ConclusionsIncreasing the frequency and quality of support from a woman in the smoker's social network is a promising prenatal smoking cessation strategy.