Prevalence of smoking during pregnancy and associated social inequalities in developed countries over the 1995-2020 period: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Smoking during pregnancy (SDP) is an important source of preventable morbidity and mortality for both mother and child. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to describe changes in the prevalence of SDP over the last 25 years in developed countries (Human Development Index >0.8 in 2020) and associated social inequalities. DATA SOURCES: A systematic review was conducted based on a search in PubMed, Embase and PsycInfo databases and government sources. STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION: Published studies between January 1995 and March 2020, for which the primary outcome was to assess the national prevalence of SDP and the secondary outcome was to describe related socio-economic data were included in the analysis. The selected articles had to be written in English, Spanish, French or Italian. SYNTHESIS: The articles were selected after successive reading of the titles, abstracts and full-length text. An independent double reading with intervention of a third reader in case of disagreement allowed including 35 articles from 14 countries in the analysis. RESULTS: The prevalence of SDP differed across the countries studied despite comparable levels of development. After 2015, the prevalence of SDP ranged between 4.2% in Sweden and 16.6% in France. It was associated with socio-economic factors. The prevalence of SDP slowly decreased over time, but this overall trend masked inequalities within populations. In Canada, France and the United States, the prevalence decreased more rapidly in women of higher socio-economic status, and inequalities in maternal smoking were more marked in these countries. In the other countries, inequalities tended to decrease but remained significant. CONCLUSIONS: During pregnancy, that is a period described as a window of opportunity, smoking and social vulnerability factors need to be detected to implement targeted prevention strategies aiming at reducing related social inequalities.

Factors influencing the quality of life of pregnant women: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Pregnancy is a period of transition with important physical and emotional changes. Even in uncomplicated pregnancies, these changes can affect the quality of life (QOL) of pregnant women, affecting both maternal and infant health. The objectives of this study were to describe the quality of life during uncomplicated pregnancy and to assess its associated socio-demographic, physical and psychological factors in developed countries. METHODS: A systematic review was performed according to the PRISMA guidelines. Searches were made in PubMed, EMBASE and BDSP (Public Health Database). Two independent reviewers extracted the data. Countries with a human development index over 0.7 were selected. The quality of the articles was evaluated on the basis of the STROBE criteria. RESULTS: In total, thirty-seven articles were included. While the physical component of QOL decreased throughout pregnancy, the mental component was stable and even showed an improvement during pregnancy. Main factors associated with better QOL were mean maternal age, primiparity, early gestational age, the absence of social and economic problems, having family and friends, doing physical exercise, feeling happiness at being pregnant and being optimistic. Main factors associated with poorer QOL were medically assisted reproduction, complications before or during pregnancy, obesity, nausea and vomiting, epigastralgia, back pain, smoking during the months prior to conception, a history of alcohol dependence, sleep difficulties, stress, anxiety, depression during pregnancy and sexual or domestic violence. CONCLUSIONS: Health-related quality of life refers to the subjective assessment of patients regarding the physical, mental and social dimensions of well-being. Improving the quality of life of pregnant women requires better identification of their difficulties and guidance which offers assistance whenever possible.

Correction: Postnatal Environmental Tobacco Smoke Exposure Related to Behavioral Problems in Children.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0133604.].

Postnatal Environmental Tobacco Smoke Exposure Related to Behavioral Problems in Children.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine the association between pre and post environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure and behavioral problems in schoolchildren. METHODS: In the cross-sectional 6 cities Study conducted in France, 5221 primary school children were investigated. Pre- and postnatal exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke at home was assessed using a parent questionnaire. Child's behavioral outcomes (emotional symptoms and conduct problems) were evaluated by the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) completed by the parents. RESULTS: ETS exposure during the postnatal period and during both pre- and postnatal periods was associated with behavioral problems in children. Abnormal emotional symptoms (internalizing problems) were related to ETS exposure in children who were exposed during the pre- and postnatal periods with an OR of 1.72 (95% Confidence Interval (CI)= 1.36-2.17), whereas the OR was estimated to be 1.38 (95% CI= 1.12-1.69) in the case of postnatal exposure only. Abnormal conduct problems (externalizing problems) were related to ETS exposure in children who were exposed during the pre- and postnatal periods with an OR of 1.94 (95% CI= 1.51-2.50), whereas the OR was estimated to be 1.47 (95% CI=1.17-1.84) in the case of postnatal exposure only. Effect estimates were adjusted for gender, study center, ethnic origin, child age, low parental education, current physician diagnosed asthma, siblings, preterm birth and single parenthood. CONCLUSION: Postnatal ETS exposure, alone or in association with prenatal exposure, increases the risk of behavioral problems in school-age children.