A review of research literature addressing male partners and smoking during pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE: To gain a more complete understanding of cigarette smoking and cessation during pregnancy by examining the men's role in supporting smoking cessation of their pregnant partners. DATA SOURCES: A search of online data included CINAHL, Medline, and PsychLit databases. STUDY SELECTION: Studies published in the last 10 years, in English language, included three phenomena: pregnancy, male partners, and cigarette smoking. DATA EXTRACTION: Data were identified and organized according to theoretical, descriptive, and intervention methods of research. DATA SYNTHESIS: A growing body of literature indicates an interaction between pregnancy, male partners, and smoking behaviors. Explicating relationships between these phenomena is necessary for understanding and encouraging behaviors that promote maternal, child, and family health. CONCLUSIONS: Current research that includes the phenomena of pregnancy, male partners, and smoking behaviors highlights a need to further investigate the potential relationships, interactions, and health consequences of smoking behaviors of men and women during pregnancy.