Exploring Awareness and Attitudes Towards Smoke Among Pregnant Women and Healthcare Professionals: A Qualitative Study

Purpose: Smoking during pregnancy or exposure to secondhand smoke can impact fetal development and child health. Moreover, the smoking habits of healthcare professionals (HCP) not only jeopardize their own well-being but also undermine anti-smoking efforts’ credibility. The aim of this study was to investigate the awareness and attitudes of pregnant women and HCP about smoking. Methods: The study conducted four focus group interviews involving 34 pregnant women and two focus group interviews with 17 HCP. Data collection was carried out through face-to-face interviews with audio recordings, utilizing researcherdeveloped forms comprising of the mother’s information form and semi-structured questions. Content analysis of the research data was performed using MAXQDA-24. Results: Findings revealed that both pregnant women and HCP were exposed to secondhand smoke within their homes (40% vs 17.6%, respectively) often disregarding areas like the kitchen, balcony, or less frequented rooms as part of the indoor environment. Many emphasized the detrimental impact of smoking in the presence of children, highlighting its potential to influence children to adopt the habit. Additionally, it was stated that educational videos on smoking’s dangers to child health motivated pregnant women to quit smoking. Conclusion: The study highlights a significant gap in awareness among both pregnant women and HCPs regarding the risks of secondhand and thirdhand smoke exposure. Despite HCPs’ knowledge of the harms of smoking, the presence of exposure suggest that more effective interventions are needed. To address this gap, pregnant women should receive targetted education from informed HCPs who fully understand the risks associated with smoking, particularly in the home environment.