Zahida Parveen Brohi, Aneela Sadaf, Rabail Bohio, Uzma Perveen.
Use of smokeless tobacco in pregnant women.
Pak J Med Res Dec ;55(3):66-9.

Objectives: To calculate the frequency of use of smokeless tobacco by pregnant women and determine their awareness about its hazards. Study design, settings and duration: Questionnaire based study conducted in the Obstetrics OPD of Isra university hospital, Hyderabad over 6 months from 1st January 2011 to 30th June 2011. Patients and Methods: All obstetric patients who came to the Obstetrics & Gynecology OPD during this period were enrolled and 302 of them were selected at random. A structured proforma was used to collect information like age, gravidity, gestational age, socioeconomic status, residence, occupation and literacy status. Starting age of use of smokeless tobacco, frequency of usage before and during pregnancy was also inquired. Women smoking cigarette were excluded. Data were analyzed on statistical software SPSS version 16. Frequencies and percentages were calculated, the final outcome was recorded. Results: A total of 302 pregnant women were interviewed. One hundred and sixty-four (54.3%) were using smokeless tobacco before pregnancy and they continued it throughout pregnancy except three, while 26 women started its use during pregnancy making a total of 187 (61.9%) women who were using smokeless tobacco during pregnancy. Usage was 2-3 times before pregnancy and remained same during pregnancy. The most common smokeless tobacco was Ghutka 116 (62%). Hazards of using smokeless tobacco during pregnancy were known by 189 (62.6%) women and health care provider was the most common source of passing this information. Regarding social taboos, 240 (79.5%) pregnant women said that using smokeless tobacco is not acceptable for women. Conclusion: Majority of pregnant women were using the smokeless tobacco in spite of knowing the hazards of smokeless tobacco. Key words: Pregnancy, smokeless tobacco.

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