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Study Finds Pregnant Women Still Smoking

by Cassandra R. Elias

In the News: Study Finds Up To 21 Percent of Pregnant Women Still Smoke

Smoking During PregnancyPregnant women continue smoking during pregnancy at alarming rates, according to a study released last Wednesday, May 9, 2012.

Almost 22 percent of pregnant white women ages 15 to 44 smoked cigarettes within the prior 30 days, compared to just over 14 percent of pregnant black women and 6.5 percent of hispanic women.

However, the rate of illicit drug use during pregnancy was higher among black women, 7.7 percent compared to white women at 4.4 percent and hispanic women coming in at 3 percent.

The study was undertaken by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Study.

Alcohol use during pregnancy was approximately the same for black and white women (about 12 percent), but much higher among hispanic women (7.4 percent), according to the study.

The findings were based on data analysis from the administration's 2002 to 2010 national surveys on drug use and health.

Pamela Hyde, administrator at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services said in a government news release, "When pregnant women use alcohol, tobacco or illicit substances they are risking health problems for themselves and poor birth outcomes for their babies. Pregnant women of different races and ethnicities may have diverse patterns of substance abuse. It is essential that we use the findings from this report to develop better ways of getting this key message out to every segment of our community so that no woman or child is endangered by substance use and abuse."

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Centre for Excellence sponsors programs to help women during their pregnancy to change their lifestyles and improve their children's health. The programs include screening and brief intervention, providing help for women at risk of having an alcohol-exposed pregnancy, and parent-child assistance which includes home visitations over a three-year period.

What do you think about these findings? Does it surprise you? Did you smoke during your pregnancy?

Medical references:
- Petra Rattue. (2012, May 13). 21.8% Of Pregnant White Women Smoke. Medical News Today. Accessed May 13, 2012.

Comments

Submitted by molleebauer on Mon, 05/21/2012 - 08:12.

Very true Joee!

Submitted by girlisrad on Wed, 05/16/2012 - 13:45.

I am not surprised at all. Considering most people just refuse to listen to the obvious truth of their consequences, and throw out the classic "Well, my GRANDMA smoked and drank!" excuses.

And being a former smoker myself... quitting is absolutely difficult. Pregnancy or otherwise. It is not as simple as putting it down and walking away for most people. I guess because I was a smoker for almost 16 years? I understand and have more sympathy for those women than I do apathy. It is sad that they are unable to stop, but I do understand the WHY behind it.

It will take time for the education to reach everyone, but eventually it will. There will always be a few who simply do not care... but as smoking becomes less and less popular those numbers will decrease as time goes on.