Attitudes and Perceptions Related to Smoking among Pregnant and Postpartum Women in a Low-Income, Multiethnic Setting

Abstract

Results suggest that many women respond to warnings about smoking during pregnancy, but actions are not necessarily measured in quit rates. Misconceptions about the risks may help to rationalize continued smoking. Subjects lacked knowledge about how best to reduce the risks of passive smoke. Educational efforts may be effective when directed at networks of women who share information. The nature of qualitative data collection prevents extrapolation of these results to a larger population.