OBJECTIVES: In Hungary, 37% of women living in poverty were smokers in 2012. There are no valid data of pregnant women's spontaneous smoking cessation. METHODS: Our retrospective cohort study (2009-2012) targeted the most underdeveloped regions with an estimated 6-8.5% of Roma population. The sample (N = 12,552) represented 76% of the target population i.e. women in four counties in a year delivering live born babies. Chi-square probe and multivariable logistic regression model (p < 0.05) were used to assess relationship between socio-demographic characteristics and spontaneous cessation. RESULTS: Prior to pregnancy, the overall smoking rate was 36.8%. That of women in deep poverty and Roma was 49.7% and 51.1%, respectively. 70.3% of smokers continued smoking during the pregnancy. Among them 80.6% lived in deep poverty. Spontaneous quitting rate was 23.0%. Factors correlated with continued smoking included being Roma (OR = 1.95), undereducated (OR = 2.66), living in homes lacking amenities (OR = 1.48), and having regularly smoking partner (OR = 2.07). Cessation was promoted by younger age (≤ 18 years) (OR = 0.18), being married (OR = 0.50), and the first pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS: Tailored cessation programmes are needed for Roma, older, low-income, and multiparous women who are less likely to quit on their own. Engaging husbands/partners is essential to reduce smoking among pregnant women and second-hand smoke exposure.

Debrecen Nyiregyhaza University Debrecen Hungary

Faculty of Health Sciences Semmelweis University Budapest Hungary

Institute of Public Health Faculty of Medicine Semmelweis University Budapest Hungary

Wake Forest University Medical School Comprehensive Cancer Center Winston Salem NC USA

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