A mixed methods evaluation of Quit for new life, a smoking cessation initiative for women having an Aboriginal baby

BACKGROUND: Quit for new life (QFNL) is a smoking cessation initiative developed to support mothers of Aboriginal babies to quit smoking during pregnancy. The state-wide initiative provides support for pregnant women and their households including free nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) and follow up cessation advice. Services are also supported to implement systems-level changes and integrate QFNL into routine care. This study aimed to evaluate: (1) models of implementation of QFNL; (2) the uptake of QFNL; (3) the impact of QFNL on smoking behaviours; and (4) stakeholder perceptions of the initiative. METHODS: A mixed methods study was conducted comprising semi-structured interviews and analysis of routinely collected data. Interviews were conducted with 6 clients and 35 stakeholders involved in program implementation. Data were analysed using inductive content analysis. Aboriginal Maternal and Infant Health Service Data Collection (AMDC) records for the period July 2012-June 2015 were investigated to examine how many eligible women attended a service implementing QFNL and how many women took up a QFNL support. Smoking cessation rates were compared in women attending a service offering QFNL with women attending the same service prior to the implementation of QFNL to determine program impact. RESULTS: QFNL was implemented in 70 services located in 13 LHDs across New South Wales. Over 430 staff attended QFNL training, including 101 staff in Aboriginal-identified roles. In the period July 2012-June 2015 27% (n = 1549) of eligible women attended a service implementing QFNL and 21% (n = 320) of these were recorded as taking up a QFNL support. While stakeholders shared stories of success, no statistically significant impact of QFNL on smoking cessation rates was identified (N = 3502; Odds ratio (OR) = 1.28; 95% Confidence Interval (CI) = 0.96–1.70; p-value = 0.0905). QFNL was acceptable to both clients and stakeholders, increased awareness about smoking cessation, and gave staff resources to support clients. CONCLUSION: QFNL was perceived as acceptable by stakeholders and clients and provided care providers with knowledge and tangible support to offer women who presented at antenatal care as smokers, however, no statistically significant impact on rates of smoking cessation were found using the measures available. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12913-023-09496-3.