Selected indicators related to smoking incidence in pregnant women in the Czech Republic

Abstract

Introduction: Both pre-conception and especially a mother’s (parents’) prenatal risk habits play a very significant role in the etiology of baby ontogeny abnormalities and health disorders. These abnormalities and disorders can manifest themselves immediately or in long-term latency. The behavior of future mothers is affected with their knowledge, which forms the basis of women’s everyday habits. This is an expression of their health literacy and psychosocial factors. This can be positively influenced by care providers (midwives) within prenatal counseling or courses, preferably before the conception. Aim: The aim of the survey was to find out the current level of health literacy in the field of women’s smoking in connection with their pregnancy, and the factors which affect it the most. Materials and methods: The questionnaire survey and evaluation of selected anthropometric parameters in women after birth in selected bed-care facilities in Bohemia and Moravia were used for the study (research). Statistical analyses was carried out by Pearson’s test χ2 (chi-square) and Anova test on significance level 0.05. Results: It was found that in spite of relatively good awareness, smoking is a widespread habit among the population of potential mothers and is connected to education level and smoking in a woman’s family history. Some women (30%) quit smoking when they decide to get pregnant or during pregnancy. Some women (10%) do not give up the habit despite being aware of the risk to both mothers’ and babies’ health. Conclusions: It is clear that the prevention and elimination of the risk behavior of pregnant women, in our case smoking, still shows considerable insufficiencies. An important part of the effective prevention of fetal harm and future development of the child, not only in the context of prenatal care, is health literacy, which can be improved through prenatal courses and counseling led by a midwife.