Smoking cessation and relapse prevention for postpartum women: results from a randomized controlled trial at 6, 12, 18 and 24 months.

AIM: To test the efficacy of an aid to cessation/relapse prevention intervention for women postpartum.

METHOD: Two-armed randomized controlled trial. Follow-ups at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months, screenings on maternity wards. Intervention group received face-to-face counseling 40 days postpartum plus telephone counseling calls 4 and 12 weeks later. Control group received usual care plus self-help material for each parent.

RESULTS: With regard to smoking cessation, 4 week point prevalence abstinent rates were higher in the treatment group at 6, 12, and 18 months (7% vs. 1%, 7% vs. 2%, and 9% vs. 1%, respectively). Sustained abstinence was higher in the treatment group at 6 months follow-up (3% vs. 0%). No difference was observed with regard to relapse prevention.

DISCUSSION: Regarding aid to cessation we observed small effects, regarding relapse prevention no effect. In order to capitalize on the opportunity childbirth poses with regard to smoking, theories on relapse prevention in smoking cessation that guide in designing interventions are needed.