Characteristics associated with intervention and follow-up attendance in a secondhand smoke exposure study for families of NICU infants

Abstract

Objective: The neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is an ideal setting to intervene with an under served population on secondhand smoke exposure (SHSe). Unfortunately, attrition may compromise outcomes. Baseline characteristics associated with intervention and follow-up attendance were investigated in mothers who participated in a novel SHSe prevention study designed for households with a smoker and a NICU-admitted infant.

Methods: Intervention participants received two motivational, NICU-based counseling sessions; usual care participants received pamphlets. Home-based follow-up assessments occurred at 1, 3 and 6 months. Sociodemographic, smoking history, and psychosocial factors were analyzed.

Results: Mothers from households with greater numbers of cigarettes smoked and fewer children had higher odds of both intervention and follow-up attendance. Maternal smoking abstinence (lifetime), more adults in the home and higher perceived interpersonal support were also associated with higher odds of follow-up visit completion.

Conclusions: Innovative strategies are needed to engage mothers in secondhand smoke interventions, especially mothers who smoke, have lower levels of social support and have greater childcare responsibilities.

• Attrition
• neonatal intensive care unit
• NICU
• secondhand smoke exposure
• SHSe

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Jeff Fox, Shireen Hayatghaibi, Tiffany Dean, Lora Bunge, and the Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital and its NICU staff for their assistance in completing this study.

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest.

This study was supported by grant R40MC08962 through the US Department of Health and Human Services, Maternal and Child Health Research Program.