Exposure to environmental tobacco smoke in Chinese new mothers decreased during pregnancy

ObjectiveTo determine the current status of environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure in new mothers living in urban Shanghai.Study Design and SettingA cross-sectional study was carried out in three communities of Shanghai from June 2005 to August 2006. A total of 950 new mothers with infants aged 5–8 months were recruited in community health centers by trained health workers. The prevalence of ETS exposure was determined for before, during, and after pregnancy. Chi-square test and logistical regression analysis were used in statistical analysis.ResultsThe prevalence of ETS exposure was 55.9% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 52.2, 59.6) before pregnancy and decreased significantly to 41.9% (95% CI: 38.2, 45.6) during pregnancy. However, the amount and time of exposure to ETS changed little before, during, and after pregnancy for those exposed. Among husbands who ever smoked, 14.4% stopped smoking before pregnancy, 38.1% changed smoking behaviors during pregnancy, and after pregnancy10.7% quitted smoking, whereas three nonsmoking husbands began to smoke.ConclusionPregnancy is a very important time period to implement tobacco control projects targeting young male smokers.