Predictors of perceiving smoking cessation counselling as a midwife's role: a survey of Dutch midwives
Martijntje J. Bakker1,1, Hein de Vries2, Patricia Dolan Mullen3 and Gerjo Kok4
1 Municipal Health Institute The Hague, PO Box 12652, 2500 DP The Hague, The Netherlands
2 Department of Health Education, University of Maastricht, The Netherlands
3 Centre for Health Promotion and Prevention Research, University of Texas, Health Science Centre at Houston, School of Public Health, USA
4 Department of Psychology, University of Maastricht, The Netherlands
Correspondence: Martijntje J. Bakker PhD, Municipal Health Institute The Hague, PO Box 12652, 2500 DP The Hague, The Netherlands, tel: +31 0 70 3537257, fax: +31 0 70 3537292, Email: m.j.bakker{at}ocw.denhaag.nl
Background: Smoking during pregnancy can have many serious consequences. As the usual providers of pregnancy care in the Netherlands, midwives could serve as effective counsellors to pregnant women about cigarette smoking. The aim of the present study was to identify relevant factors that hamper or promote the provision of effective smoking cessation advice and counselling. Methods: Questionnaires were mailed to midwives; 237 (64.4%) were returned. Questions were asked about advantages and disadvantages of giving smoking cessation advice, perceived health benefits for mother and child, smoking behaviour and normative beliefs of colleagues, self-efficacy and role definition of midwives with regard to giving smoking cessation advice. Results: Midwives who have a more positive role definition regarding giving smoking cessation advice are more convinced of the advantages of giving advice, the advantages of quitting for their clients and perceive more support from their colleagues with regard to giving advice. Conclusion: In general, midwives were motivated to provide their clients with smoking cessation advice. They were less comfortable with guiding women through the cessation process. Therefore, effective materials and training should be developed to facilitate and stimulate midwives in their role as effective counsellors.
Keywords: attitudes, education, midwives, smoking cessation
At the time of the study, M.J. Bakker was employed at the Department of Health Education, University of Maastricht.
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