Depressive Symptoms Assessed Near the End of Pregnancy Predict Differential Response to Postpartum Smoking Relapse Prevention Intervention

Cohort Study of Cannabis Use History and Perinatal Cigarette Use Among Overweight and Obese Women

OBJECTIVES

In non-pregnant populations, cannabis use and cannabis use disorder (CUD) have been linked to tobacco use and less successful quit attempts. We compared perinatal cigarette use in women across 3 groups: never used cannabis (No CU group); used cannabis but did not meet CUD criteria (CU group); history of CUD (CUD group).

METHODS

Interviews with 257 pregnant women with overweight/obesity (M age = 28 years; 52% white) were conducted for a study of eating behavior in Western Pennsylvania from 2012-2016. Tobacco use was assessed early in pregnancy (< 20 weeks gestation), late in pregnancy (34-38 weeks gestation) and 6 months postpartum. CUD was measured with the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (SCID). Data relevant to the proposed analyses were available for 252 women. Generalized mixed effect models were used to predict perinatal cigarette use based on cannabis use group, time and their interaction, adjusting for age, race, education, income, parity, and mood/anxiety disorder.

RESULTS

Forty-eight percent of participants reported prior cannabis use and 15% were diagnosed with lifetime CUD. History of cannabis use predicted cigarette smoking in early pregnancy (OR 11.12, CI 3.27-37.85), late pregnancy (OR 6.55, CI 1.70-25.27), and 6 months postpartum (OR 7.57, CI 2.72-21.07), regardless of CUD.

CONCLUSIONS

A history of CUD did not appear to confer additional risk for perinatal cigarette use. Given increasing rates of cannabis use among pregnant women, these results highlight the importance of addressing history of cannabis use in conjunction with tobacco use to improve smoking cessation efforts.

Smoking Status and Symptoms of Depression During and After Pregnancy Among Low-Income Women

OBJECTIVE

To describe the point prevalence rates, relapse rates, smoking status, and symptoms of depression and to examine the relationship between smoking status and symptoms of depression from early pregnancy to 12 months after childbirth among low-income women.

DESIGN

Secondary data analysis.

SETTING

Data from the national Nurse-Family Partnership program.

PARTICIPANTS

Women who were enrolled in the national Nurse-Family Partnership program between 2011 and 2016 with histories of smoking 3 months before pregnancy (N = 1,554).

METHODS

We used smoking status and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale scores in early pregnancy, late pregnancy, and 12 months after childbirth to identify point prevalence rates, relapse rates, smoking status, and symptoms of depression. We used chi-square and additional analyses to examine the relationship between smoking status and symptoms of depression.

RESULTS

The prevalence of smoking was 30.12% (n = 468) in early pregnancy, 24.39% (n = 379) in late pregnancy, and 50.58% (n = 786) 12 months after childbirth. Prevalence rates of a positive depression screening result were 30.31% (n = 471), 20.46% (n = 318), and 18.08% (n = 281), respectively. Smoking relapse rates were 2.45% (n = 38) during the third trimester and 27.86% (n = 433) at 12 months after childbirth. Eight distinct patterns of smoking and depression were identified. Women who smoked were significantly more likely to also have positive depression screening results during the third trimester and at 12 months after childbirth compared with nonsmoking women (OR = 1.37, 95% confidence interval [1.04, 1.81] and OR = 1.93, 95% confidence interval [1.47, 2.51], respectively).

CONCLUSION

Prevalence rates of smoking, relapse, and positive depression screening results were great in this sample of low-income women during and after pregnancy. Pivotal time points exist where the trajectory of smoking and depression screening patterns may change. It is important for smoking cessation interventions to incorporate mental health assessment and treatment.