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Socioeconomic correlates and trends in smoking in pregnancy in New South Wales, Australia
  1. M Mohsin1,
  2. A E Bauman2,
  3. R Forero3
  1. 1Clinical Excellence Commission, New South Wales Health, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of New South Wales, Australia
  2. 2School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
  3. 3Simpson Centre for Health Services Research affiliated with the Australian Institute of Health Innovation, University of New South Wales, Australia
  1. Correspondence to Dr Mohammed Mohsin, Clinical Excellence Commission, Level 3, 65 Martin Place, Reserve Bank Building, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia; m.mohsin{at}unsw.edu.au

Abstract

Objective This study describes trends (1994–2007) in smoking in pregnancy (SIP) among an Australian population sample of women. This study also examines trends in the socioeconomic distribution of SIP over the 14-year period.

Methods Bivariate and multiple logistic regression analyses of the NSW Midwives Data Collection were used to explore the associations and trends in SIP by sociodemographic factors.

Results The prevalence of SIP in New South Wales (NSW) declined from 22.1% (1994) to 13.5% in 2007. However, the largest decrease in SIP rates was among the highest socioeconomic group (67.9% decline), and smaller declines were observed among teenage and remote rural mothers. Maternal age, ethnicity, Aboriginality, area of remoteness and socioeconomic status were independently associated with SIP. The distribution of NSW mothers has changed, with fewer younger mothers and more from an Asian background.

Conclusion This study reported large declines in SIP prevalence, with a population effect similar to that expected following exposure to (Cochrane-defined) intensive behavioural interventions. However, no specially targeted public health efforts were made during this period to influence SIP, so that social norm change is the likely explanation for these population health changes. The relative decline in SIP was smaller among low-socioeconomic status mothers, by language spoken at home, Aboriginality and area of remoteness, suggesting that inequalities in SIP have increased over this 14-year period. This information informs equity-based approaches to targeting further smoking cessation programs for pregnant Australian women.

  • Pregnancy
  • smoking
  • socioeconomic status
  • trends
  • epidemiology FQ
  • socioeconomic

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Footnotes

  • Competing interests We are not aware of any conflicts of interest associated with this research.

  • Ethical approval This study did not require ethics committee approval.

  • Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; not externally peer reviewed.