Patterns of Smoking Behaviour in Low-Income Pregnant Women: A Cohort Study of Differential Effects on Infant Birth Weight.

Maternal smoking accounts for 20%-30% of low birth weight (BW). Second-Hand Smoke (SHS) also negatively affects BW. This cohort study explored the differential effect of smoking patterns during pregnancy on infant BW.

Effectiveness of motivational interviewing in influencing smoking cessation in pregnant and postpartum disadvantaged women.

Introduction: Systematic assessments of Motivational Interviewing (MI) in smoking behavior have been rare to date. This study aimed to determine whether an integrated approach, involving staff training in MI techniques, was sufficient to affect change in smoking status or intensity in low-income pregnant and postpartum women.

Methods: Overall, 500 consecutive smokers were recruited at first prenatal visit to public antenatal clinics.

Screening for Chlamydia trachomatis in asymptomatic women attending outpatient clinics in a large maternity hospital in Dublin, Ireland.

Background: Chlamydia trachomatis can cause a sexually transmitted infection, which, untreated, may result in considerable morbidity.

Methods: A prevalence study was conducted for C trachomatis using nucleic acid amplification technology in asymptomatic women, and certain risk factors that may be used to direct future screening strategies were assessed.

Results: The study population comprised 945 asymptomatic women, of whom 783 were attending antenatal clinics, 91 were attending infertility clinics and 71 were attending family planning clinics.