Smoking Cessation Programs for Pregnant Women: Utilizing WhatsApp Text Messaging.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to develop a Transtheoretical-Model-based and WhatsApp-text-message-supported smoking cessation program for pregnant women and to evaluate its effectiveness.

METHODS

This study is a pretest-posttest designed, randomized controlled and quasi-experimental intervention research. The study was conducted on 50 pregnant women, 25 of them in the intervention group and 25 of them in the control group. A theory-based motivational individual counseling initiative has been applied to the intervention group, and WhatsApp text messages have been sent 3 days a week, in accordance with the stages of change to support the interviews.

RESULTS

In the final follow-up, 60% of pregnant women in the intervention group and 36% of pregnant women in the control group quit smoking. All participants indicated they would recommend the WhatsApp-text-message-supported smoking cessation program. Transtheoretical-Model-based and WhatsApp-text-message-supported smoking cessation programs were found to be effective in reducing nicotine dependency scores and carbon monoxide levels of pregnant women and quitting smoking.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: The smoking cessation program used in the research may be applied by midwives or nurses trained on the subject to help pregnant women quit smoking.