Tailoring a NICU-Based Tobacco Treatment Program for Mothers Who Are Dependent on Opioids.
Amanda Fallin-Bennett, Kristin Ashford
PMID 28754255WHAT IT FOUND
Mothers dependent on opioids described using smoke-free home rules and hygiene rituals to protect newborns from thirdhand smoke, rather than quitting immediately.
They cited stress and recovery priorities as barriers, while noting that non-judgmental nurse support empowered engagement.
Key findings
01Participants prioritized reducing secondhand and thirdhand smoke exposure through home rules and hygiene rituals over immediate cessation.
02Stress and the demands of early opioid recovery were primary barriers to smoking cessation, with many women planning to quit only after stabilizing other life aspects.
03While some women felt judged by nurses, most reported that supportive, non-judgmental interactions with health care providers empowered them and improved their engagement in care.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
Findings are based on self-report from a small, homogeneous sample of 11 white women of low socioeconomic status from a single academic center in a tobacco-growing state, limiting generalizability. Social desirability bias may have influenced participants' openness about substance use and smoking. The study did not collect data on infant health outcomes, so the relationship between NAS severity and maternal smoking motivation is unknown.
Declared interests
The authors declared no conflicts of interest. The study was supported by grants from the National Institute on Drug Abuse and the National Institute of Nursing Research.
The easy way to misread this
Do not interpret the participants' use of hygiene rituals and smoke-free home rules as evidence that these strategies are sufficient to eliminate health risks for the newborn. These were self-reported coping mechanisms in a small qualitative study, not tested interventions with measured infant outcomes.