Smoking Cessation in Pregnant and Postpartum Adolescents

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Journal of Women’s Health and Reproductive Medicine delivers the advancements diagnostic procedures, therapeutic protocols for the management of diseases, and innovative research in gender-based biology that impacts patient care and treatment. It publishes researches & reviews articles that are related to women’s health and their health issues.

Pregnant and postpartum adolescents living in the rural and mountainous Appalachian region face health disparities that impact their health behaviors and health outcomes. The purpose of the study was to facilitate the accessibility of a smoking cessation intervention among a group of at-risk pregnant and postpartum adolescents living in a residential group home to examine its feasibility in this vulnerable population.

Feasibility study evaluating the implementation of a developmentally appropriate 5As smoking cessation intervention designed to reduce smoking and provide perinatal healthy lifestyle education among a small group of vulnerable pregnant and postpartum adolescents living in a residential home in the Appalachian state of West Virginia. The study examined smoking status, tobacco resistance self-efficacy, and coping behavior measurement.

The program facilitated improvement in the participants’ perception of ventilating feelings and the perception of seeking professional support. Additional modifications to the smoking cessation program are needed to appropriate the program to this vulnerable adolescent population living in a residential group home.

The developmentally adapted smoking cessation program for pregnant and postpartum adolescents living in a residential group home was feasible as it increased participants’ confidence in venting feelings and in seeking professional assistance, despite challenges to recruitment and retention. Pregnant and postpartum young women in rural Appalachia face health disparities. The relatively high rate of smoking poses a risk to maternal-infant health in the region and therefore requires an address in a manner that will be effective and acceptable to the participants. When working to change behaviors among vulnerable pregnant and postpartum adolescents, trusting relationships must be established. Intervention programs should be adapted to meet the developmental and social needs of this at-risk population.

Regards,
Robert John
Editorial Manager
Journal of Womens Health and Reproductive Medicine