Article
Details
Citation
Bowker K, Lewis S, Phillips L, Orton S, Ussher M, Naughton F, Bauld L, Coleman T, Sinclair L, McRobbie H, Khan A & Cooper S (2021) Pregnant women's use of e-cigarettes in the UK: a cross-sectional survey. BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 128 (6), pp. 984-993. https://doi.org/10.1111/1471-0528.16553
Abstract
Objective
To estimate prevalence of vaping in pregnancy. Compare characteristics and attitudes between exclusive smokers and vapers, and between exclusive vapers and dual users (smoke and vape).
Design
Cross-sectional survey
Setting
Hospitals across England and Scotland
Population
Pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in 2017
Methods
Women 8-24 weeks gestation completed screening questions about their smoking and vaping. Current or recent ex-smokers and/or vapers completed a full detailed survey about vaping and smoking.
Main outcome measures
The prevalence of vaping, characteristics and attitudes of women who vape and/or smoke.
Results
Of 3360 pregnant women who completed screening questions, 515 (15.3%, 95% CI 14.1-16.6) were exclusive smokers, 44 (1.3%, 95% CI 1.0-1.8) exclusive vapers and 118 (3.5%, 95% CI 2.9-4.2) dual users.
In total 867 (25.8%) women completed the full survey; compared with smokers (n=434), vapers (n=140) were more likely to hold higher educational qualifications (OR 1.51, 95% CI 1.01-2.25). Compared with exclusive vapers (n=33), dual users (n=107) were younger (OR 0.91 95% CI 0.85-0.98) and less likely to hold high qualifications (OR 0.43, 95% CI 0.20-0.96). Compared with smokers, dual users were more likely to be planning to quit smoking (OR 2.27, 95% CI 1.24-4.18). Compared with smokers, vapers were more likely to think vaping was safer than smoking (78.6% v 36.4%).
Conclusions
One in twenty pregnant women report vaping, most also smoke. Dual users are more motivated towards stopping smoking than smokers. Where women have tried, but cannot stop smoking, clinicians could encourage them to consider vaping for smoking cessation.
Keywords
Pregnancy; smoking; vaping; e-cigarettes; prevalence
Journal
BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology: Volume 128, Issue 6
Status | Published |
---|---|
Funders | CRUK Cancer Research UK |
Publication date | 31/05/2021 |
Publication date online | 04/10/2020 |
Date accepted by journal | 24/09/2020 |
URL | http://hdl.handle.net/1893/31749 |
ISSN | 1470-0328 |
eISSN | 1471-0528 |
People (1)
Professor of Behavioural Medicine, Institute for Social Marketing