Tobacco use and secondhand smoking among pregnant women in Al-Madinah, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Objectives: This study investigated the prevalence of tobacco smoking and second-hand smoking among pregnant women in Al-Madina, Saudi Arabia, as well as the factors associated with it. Method: A cross-sectional analytic study was conducted on 534 pregnant women who attended antenatal care units in 10 primary healthcare centers in Al-Madina in 2022. The mothers completed a self-reported questionnaire that collected data on sociodemography, tobacco use and second-hand smoking. Results: Active smokers among the pregnant women were 9.2% and 46.8% were second-hand smokers. A significant association was found between being a passive smoker and having the highest level of education as secondary school (odds ratio (OR) = 2.36; confidence interval (CI) = 1.53-3.66) as well as between being employed and the probability of being a smoker (OR = 4.3; CI = 2.10-9.02).Only 25.4% of the participants were asked about smoking history during their clinical visits over the preceding 12 months. Conclusion: Public health education should be given to pregnant women and their husbands about the harmful effects of smoking during pregnancy, to develop a smoke-free environment at home and to promote smoking cessation among them.