Factors Associated With Intention To Quit Smoking Among African American Pregnant Women

Abstract

The purposes of this study were: 1) to determine beliefs salient to African American women quitting smoking while pregnant; 2) to determine how these beliefs relate to African American Women’s intent to quit smoking while pregnant. The study had two-phases. First, qualitative data was collected in focus groups among 49 pregnant women, recruited from the Black Infant Health Program in San Bernardino County. Second, guided by the findings from the focus group, and based on the theory of planned behavior, a questionnaire was developed, pre-tested, and used as the instrument for collecting quantitative data. One hundred and fifty-six women ages 18-52 years completed the questionnaire. Of these, 97% percent were current smokers and 21% had tried quitting in the past. Perceived control was the strongest predictor of intention, followed by attitude. Findings from this study will be used to plan a smoking cessation intervention for African American Pregnant women.