Smoking cessation during pregnancy: the influence of partners, family and friends on quitters and non-quitters

This research compared pregnant quitters’ and non-quitters’ accounts of how partners, family and friends influenced their smoking cessation attempts. Qualitative secondary data analysis was carried out on a purposive sample of motivational interview transcripts undertaken by research midwives with pregnant women as part of SmokeChange, a smoking cessation intervention. Interviews with all quitters in the intervention group (n = 12) were analysed comparatively with interviews from a matched sample of non-quitters (n = 12).The discourses of both revealed similarity in how their partners, family and friends influenced their cessation efforts: salient others were simultaneously perceived by both groups of women as providing drivers and barriers to quit attempts; close associates who smoked were often perceived to be as supportive as those who did not. However, women who quit smoking during pregnancy talked more about receiving active praise/encouragement than those who did not. While close associates play an important role in women’s attempts to stop smoking during pregnancy, the support they provide varies; further research is needed to develop a better understanding of how key relationships help or hinder cessation during pregnancy

Use of complementary and alternative medicine by patients admitted to a surgical unit in Scotland

INTRODUCTION Within the UK there are 50,000 practitioners of complementary medicine. Five million people have consulted such practitioners in one year. The aim of this study was to explore the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in patients attending general, vascular and cardiothoracic units at a regional Scottish centre. PATIENTS AND METHODS A questionnaire was administered to 450 patients attending the units over an 8-week period. The questionnaire consisted of demographic sections, a listing of 48 herbal preparations and alternative therapies, reasons for use and opinions on efficacy. RESULTS A total of 430 patients completed questionnaires (95%); age and sex were equally distributed over the sample. Of respondents, 68% (291 patients) had ever used CAM; 46% had used CAM in the preceding year. Half had used herbal preparations only, 13% non-herbal treatments and 35% both types of therapy. Only 10% were using CAM for the condition that led to their hospital admission. Two-thirds failed to inform their family physician about their use of CAM. CONCLUSIONS Despite concerns regarding the efficacy, safety and cost-effectiveness of complementary medicine, use amongst surgical patients is common