Health-Related Quality of Life Among Pregnant Women With Pre-pregnancy Smoking and Smoking Cessation During Pregnancy in China : National Cross-sectional Study

Research output: Journal Publications and ReviewsRGC 21 - Publication in refereed journalpeer-review

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Author(s)

  • Kadi Hu
  • Shiqian Zou
  • Casper JP Zhang
  • Huailiang Wu
  • Babatunde Akinwunmi
  • Zilian Wang

Detail(s)

Original languageEnglish
Article numbere29718
Journal / PublicationJMIR Public Health and Surveillance
Volume8
Issue number1
Online published24 Jan 2022
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2022

Link(s)

Abstract

Background: Previous studies have hardly explored the influence of pre-pregnancy smoking and smoking cessation during pregnancy on the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of pregnant women, which is a topic that need to be addressed. In addition, pregnant women in China constitute a big population in the largest developing country of the world and cannot be neglected. 

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the HRQoL of pregnant women in China with different smoking statuses and further estimate the association between pre-pregnancy smoking, smoking cessation, and the HRQoL. 

Methods: A nationwide cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the association between different smoking statuses (smoking currently, quit smoking, never smoking) and the HRQoL in pregnant women across mainland China. A web-based questionnaire was delivered through the Banmi Online Maternity School platform, including questions about demographics, smoking status, and the HRQoL. EuroQoL Group's 5-dimension 5-level (EQ-5D-5L) scale with EuroQoL Group's visual analog scale (EQ-VAS) was used for measuring the HRQoL. Ethical approval was granted by the institutional review board of the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University (ICE-2017-296). 

Results: From August to September 2019, a total of 16,483 participants from 31 provinces were included, of which 93 (0.56%) were smokers, 731 (4.43%) were ex-smokers, and 15,659 (95%) were nonsmokers. Nonsmokers had the highest EQ-VAS score (mean 84.49, SD 14.84), smokers had the lowest EQ-VAS score (mean 77.38, SD 21.99), and the EQ-VAS score for ex-smokers was in between (mean 81.04, SD 17.68). A significant difference in EQ-VAS scores was detected between nonsmokers and ex-smokers (P<.001), which indicated that pre-pregnancy smoking does have a negative impact on the HRQoL (EQ-VAS) of pregnant women. Compared with nonsmokers, ex-smokers suffered from more anxiety/depression problems (P=.001, odds ratio [OR] 1.29, 95% CI 1.12-1.50). Among ex-smokers, the increased cigarette consumption was associated with a lower EQ-5D index (P=.007) and EQ-VAS score (P=.01) of pregnant women. Compared to smokers, no significant difference was found in the ex-smokers' EQ-5D index and EQ-VAS score (P=.33). 

Conclusions: Smoking history is associated with a lower HRQoL in pregnant Chinese women. Pre-pregnancy smoking is related to a lower HRQoL (EQ-VAS) and a higher incidence of depression/anxiety problems. Smoking cessation during pregnancy does not significantly improve the HRQoL of pregnant Chinese women. Among ex-smokers, the more cigarettes they smoke, the lower HRQoL they have during pregnancy. We suggest that the Chinese government should strengthen the education on quitting smoking and avoiding second-hand smoke for women who have pregnancy plans and their family members.

Research Area(s)

  • health-related quality of life, pre-pregnancy smoking, pregnant women, smoking status

Citation Format(s)

Health-Related Quality of Life Among Pregnant Women With Pre-pregnancy Smoking and Smoking Cessation During Pregnancy in China: National Cross-sectional Study. / Hu, Kadi; Zou, Shiqian; Zhang, Casper JP et al.
In: JMIR Public Health and Surveillance, Vol. 8, No. 1, e29718, 01.2022.

Research output: Journal Publications and ReviewsRGC 21 - Publication in refereed journalpeer-review

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