Results of Formative Research to Develop a Quit Intervention for Pregnant and Postpartum Smokers Served by Louisiana WIC Clinics

Authors

• Michael D. Celestin Jr., LSU Health Sciences Center - New OrleansFollow
• Tyra Toston-Gross, Xavier University of Louisiana
• Leonor Okwara, LSU Health Sciences Center - New Orleans
• Ty-Runet Bryant, LSU Health Sciences Center - New Orleans
• Tung-Sung Tseng, LSU Health Sciences Center - New OrleansFollow
• Tylar Wiliams, Tulane University
• Wendy Dang, LSU Health Sciences Center - New Orleans
• Kori Lannaman, LSU Health Sciences Center - New Orleans
• Sarah Moody-Thomas, LSU Health Sciences Center - New OrleansFollow

Abstract

Background: Interventions using Interactive Voice Response System (IVRS) technology may help pregnant and postpartum smokers quit and remain abstinent. The present study assessed the facilitators and barriers to cessation and use of IVRS technology for pregnant and postpartum smokers. Methods: Researchers conducted 10 telephone interviews with state and national healthcare experts and surveyed and interviewed 13 patients at Louisiana Women, Infants and Children (WIC) clinics. Descriptive statistics were used to characterize the interviewees and thematic analysis to report interview responses. Results: Experts described smoking during pregnancy as common, especially within vulnerable populations, but patients did not report estimates. Patients were mostly unaware of help to quit and known services do not meet their needs. Experts and most patients supported IVRS for cessation. Discussion: A cessation intervention using IVRS for pregnant and postpartum smokers may be effective, but it must address addiction and stress, increase awareness and directly link patients to cessation services, and use a tailored call approach. Pregnant smokers have an increased risk of adverse health outcomes for both the mother and child. Despite desires to quit smoking, pregnant women cite many barriers which hinder the cessation process. Conclusion: To alleviate these barriers implementing interventions using Interactive Voice Response System (IVRS) technology may help pregnant and postpartum smokers quit and remain abstinent. Study findings support the use of IVRS to help smokers quit when tailoring call features and enabling automatic referrals to cessation services to aid in cessation. Future studies with pregnant and postpartum smokers should further explore the use of IVRS in smoking cessation interventions.

DOI

10.59020/74953

Recommended Citation

Celestin, Michael D. Jr.; Toston-Gross, Tyra; Okwara, Leonor; Bryant, Ty-Runet; Tseng, Tung-Sung; Wiliams, Tylar; Dang, Wendy; Lannaman, Kori; and Moody-Thomas, Sarah (2022) "Results of Formative Research to Develop a Quit Intervention for Pregnant and Postpartum Smokers Served by Louisiana WIC Clinics," Journal of the Louisiana Public Health Association: Vol. 3: No. 1, Article 17.
DOI: 10.59020/74953
Available at: https://digitalscholar.lsuhsc.edu/jlpha/vol3/iss1/17