Motivational interviewing for smoking cessation with disadvantaged pregnant youth and young mothers.

Globally, smoking is the leading cause of preventable and premature death. Likewise, there are numerous adverse health effects for children exposed to either maternal smoking or environment tobacco smoke, although these risks decrease when smoking is stopped or reduced. At present the limited research on smoking interventions for pregnant youth and young mothers suggests that motivational interviewing could be effective. Thus, the purpose of the present study was to investigate whether MI, delivered to disadvantaged pregnant youth and young mothers within a smoke-free school setting, would increase interest in a quit smoking group delivered by a Maori cessation provider. Secondly, the study examined whether MI can promote smoking cessation or have a positive impact on smoking related behaviours in this population. The participants were seven students: aged 16-20, enrolled at a young parents’ college, currently smoked and had at least one child or were pregnant. The participants received a school-based intervention that consisted of up to four MI sessions. Results indicated that not one participant expressed an interest in joining a quit smoking support group. However, one participant quit smoking at the six-month follow-up, which was confirmed bio-chemically. Several cases exhibited CO levels and weekly cigarette consumptions that illustrated reductions in their smoking quantity and frequency. Participant perceived importance to quit smoking was slightly higher than their confidence and participants were waiting longer to have their first cigarette of the day. However, the majority of participants experienced no consistent trends in their quit attempts, longest smoke free period, CO levels and frequency and quantity of cigarettes smoked as well as their desire, importance, confidence and motivation to quit. Future research should investigate more intensive MI interventions that adopt a holistic approach, including the family, with a focus on facilitating self-efficacy