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My quitting stories: a qualitative study exploring Aboriginal women’s experiences of smoking cessation and preventing relapse in the context of pregnancy
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

My quitting stories: a qualitative study exploring Aboriginal women’s experiences of smoking cessation and preventing relapse in the context of pregnancy

Tabassum Rahman, Alyce Weatherall, Michelle Kennedy, Amanda L Baker and Gillian Gould
Women and Birth, Vol.36(2), pp.e237-e245
03/2023
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wombi.2022.07.172
PMID: 35918279
htm
My quitting stories: A qualitative study exploring Aboriginal women’s experiences of smoking cessation and preventing relapse in the context of pregnancy174.81 kBDownloadView
Published (Version of record)CC BY-NC-ND V4.0,  Open Access
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My quitting stories: A qualitative study exploring Aboriginal women’s experiences of smoking cessation and preventing relapse in the context of pregnancyView
Published (Version of record)CC BY-NC-ND V4.0,  Open

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Abstract

Smoking cessation Relapse prevention Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women Smoke-free Qualitative Tobacco use Preventative health care Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mothers and babies health and wellbeing Prevention of human diseases and conditions Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander determinants of health
Background Most women who give up smoking during pregnancy relapse to smoking postnatally. Evidence on strategies that are helpful in maintaining smoking cessation during and beyond pregnancy is limited. Aim This paper aims to explore Aboriginal women’s experiences of quitting smoking, relapsing, and preventing relapse, focusing on the strategies they applied for attaining and maintaining abstinence and the support they received. Methods Qualitative interviews were conducted between October 2020 and June 2021, in urban New South Wales, Australia, with 12 Aboriginal women who either smoked tobacco or quit smoking and had been pregnant in the last five years. Aboriginal Research Assistants recruited participants, participated in data collection and data analysis. Data were thematically analysed. Results Major themes that emerged from the data include: a) aspiration to be abstinent; b) strong mindset; c) strategies to stay smoke-free; d) supports received; and e) service and policy recommendations. Protecting children from second-hand smoke had salience for the maintenance of abstinence. Having a strong mindset was perceived as a prerequisite to staying smoke-free. Use of multiple coping strategies in combination was frequently expressed. Knowledge about tobacco-related harms, the way nicotine dependence works, and the available support options was empowering and enabled informed decision making and actions around smoking cessation. Conclusion This qualitative study conducted with 12 Aboriginal women revealed that Aboriginal women employ multiple strategies (cognitive, behavioural and social) to quit smoking and stay smoke-free. The strategies warrant further exploration with different Aboriginal communities across Australia and consideration of inclusion in smoking cessation care.

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