Hassanein, Z.M. orcid.org/0000-0001-6141-7676, Nalbant, G. orcid.org/0000-0002-5414-9383, Bogdanovica, I. et al. (2 more authors) (2024) A qualitative study of barriers and motivators to prevent secondhand smoke exposure among pregnant women and children in Egypt: identifying appropriate approaches for change. Nicotine and Tobacco Research, 26 (11). pp. 1545-1552. ISSN 1462-2203
Abstract
Introduction
The prevalence of daily secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure among pregnant nonsmoking women and children in Egypt is estimated to be about 50% and 55%, respectively. This study aimed to explore barriers to preventing SHS exposure among pregnant women/children and smoking in the home in Egypt.
Aims and Methods
Six focus group discussions with pregnant women or mothers of children residing in urban–rural areas (n = 61) were conducted. Data were managed and analyzed using the Framework Method.
Results
Sixty-one participants aged 18–49 were recruited. They reported being never smokers and SHS exposure for themselves and their children was mainly at home. Pregnant women or mothers had some general knowledge of the dangers of SHS, but their knowledge appeared incomplete. The most commonly reported barriers to preventing SHS exposure/adopting a smoke-free home or workplace were social acceptance of smoking and SHS exposure, masculinity and gender norms of accepting smoking among men as a normative behavior, fear among women of damaging a relationship with family or even divorce, women resigning themselves to SHS exposure, and doctors not being supportive of smoking cessation. The majority of interviewees’ families were reported to allow smoking anywhere in the home. Others implemented some measures to prevent SHS; however, these tended to be inconsistently implemented.
Conclusions
Changing the norm of accepting smoking among men as a normative behavior within Egyptian society and better enforcement of smoke-free policies, will help to protect pregnant women and children from SHS.
Implications
This study suggests promising approaches to support the promotion of smoke-free homes and the prevention of SHS exposure among pregnant women and children in public places in Egypt. Better enforcement of smoke-free policies is needed. Healthcare professionals should support smoking cessation services in primary health centers. SHS policy, practice, and research should focus on husbands/fathers as they are the main source of SHS. There is a need for denormalization of SHS exposure in Egyptian society.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © The Author(s) 2024. |
Keywords: | Humans; Tobacco Smoke Pollution; Female; Pregnancy; Egypt; Adult; Adolescent; Young Adult; Focus Groups; Qualitative Research; Male; Middle Aged; Child; Pregnant Women; Motivation; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Smoke-Free Policy |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Sheffield |
Academic Units: | The University of Sheffield > Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health (Sheffield) > School of Medicine and Population Health |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Sheffield |
Date Deposited: | 07 Nov 2024 09:04 |
Last Modified: | 07 Nov 2024 09:04 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Oxford University Press (OUP) |
Refereed: | Yes |
Identification Number: | 10.1093/ntr/ntae051 |
Related URLs: | |
Sustainable Development Goals: | |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:219329 |