1. 'They Were Willing to Work with Me and Not Pressure Me': A Qualitative Investigation into the Features of Value of a Smoking Cessation in Pregnancy Program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women
- Author
-
Deborah A. Askew, Vivian Lyall, Leigh-Anne Pokino, Lynne Rogers, Jillian Guy, and Sonya Egert
- Subjects
Gerontology ,Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander ,Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis ,medicine.medical_treatment ,social determinants ,lcsh:Medicine ,Article ,03 medical and health sciences ,0302 clinical medicine ,Reflexivity ,medicine ,Humans ,Active listening ,030212 general & internal medicine ,Social determinants of health ,Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women ,strength-based ,030505 public health ,Institutional racism ,Stressor ,Smoking ,lcsh:R ,Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health ,food and beverages ,Flexibility (personality) ,Culturally Competent Care ,smoking cessation ,women-centered ,Smoking cessation ,culturally centered ,Female ,Pregnant Women ,Queensland ,pregnancy ,Thematic analysis ,0305 other medical science ,Psychology ,Delivery of Health Care - Abstract
With tobacco commonly used for stress relief, smoking cessation during pregnancy can present challenges for women facing stressful circumstances. This can be pronounced for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women who experience disproportionately high smoking rates during pregnancy and also have a greater intersection of stressors from social disadvantage, institutional racism and trauma. To contribute understandings into how women can be best supported at this time, this study identified the features of value of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander pregnancy smoking cessation program that addressed the contexts of women&rsquo, s lives in culturally affirming and strength-based ways. A narrative methodology using a yarning approach was used to interview 7 pregnant women, 6 significant others, 3 case managers, and 4 healthcare professionals. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis, guided by an Indigenist research practice of deep and reflexive researcher listening. Features of value included: relationship-based care, holistic wraparound care, flexibility, individualized care, and culturally orientated care. Combined, they enabled highly relevant and responsive women-centered, trauma-informed, and harm-reducing smoking cessation support that was well received by participants, who achieved promising smoking changes, including cessation. This approach strongly departs from standard practices and provides a blueprint for meaningful support for pregnant women experiencing vulnerabilities.
- Published
- 2021