Tobacco Behaviour Change and Implementation

MOHMQuit is a multi-component complex intervention designed to help maternity service leaders and clinicians provide better support to pregnant women who smoke, so that they can quit. Most pregnant women are highly motivated to quit smoking, but often do not receive sufficient support to manage this.

MOHMQuit was developed using a theory-driven, evidence-based approach – the Behaviour Change Wheel – and is designed specifically to address identified barriers to providing this support in busy antenatal settings. The trial is using a cluster-randomised stepped-wedge design with nine maternity services across NSW, with funding from a NHMRC Partnership grant (#1185261) and our research partners- the NSW Ministry of Health, Cancer Council NSW, Cancer Institute NSW, and five Local Health Districts – Northern NSW LHD, Western NSW LHD, Murrumbidgee LHD, Illawarra/Shoalhaven LHD and Nepean/Blue Mountains LHD. The trial includes process and economic evaluations in addition to the behavioural outcomes.

While many women are able to quit smoking during pregnancy for the wellbeing of their baby, unfortunately relapse to smoking in the first year after the baby’s birth is common. We currently have no Australia-specific data on postpartum return to smoking. Australia is also experiencing a rapid increase in the use of e-cigarettes (or vaping), especially among young people. This study is exploring women’s reported use of combustible cigarettes and e-cigarettes during pregnancy and the first year postpartum, including use of these products indoors and women’s perceptions of their harms and perceived risks of exposure to second-hand smoke and vape. It will provide the first Australian-specific data on postpartum relapse and use of e-cigarettes during pregnancy and postpartum.