Determination of Pregnant Women's Beliefs About Third-Hand Smoke

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to determine the beliefs of pregnant women about third-hand smoke. Methods: It was carried out with 290 pregnant women in a hospital in the Black Sea Region between July and October 2022. Research data were collected using descriptive information form and Beliefs About Third-Hand Smoke Scale (BATHS-T). The data were evaluated by Independent Sample t-Test and One-way ANOVA Results: The average age of the pregnant women was 28.54±5.45. Of the women, 41.7% were high school graduates, and 69.7% were not working. Pregnancy was planned in 75.2% of the participants, 57.6% were multigravidas, and 86.9% had no problems during their pregnancy. The rate of smokers during pregnancy was 19%, and the partners of 54.1% were also smokers. The average number of cigarettes smoked daily by pregnant women was 4.21±2.27. The average BATHS-T total score of the participants was 3.90±0.91, the health sub-dimension 3.91±0.94, and the persistence sub-dimension 3.89±0.97. BATHS-T average score was higher in university graduates and primigravida. Conclusions: About two out of 10 women admitted to the hospital smoked during pregnancy. There was a significant difference between education level, gravidity, and beliefs about the harms of third-hand smoke. Education and intervention programs should be organized to raise awareness about the effects of exposure to third-hand smoke. © 2024, Ataturk Universitesi. All rights reserved.