Designing an educational intervention on second-hand smoke in smoker men on the exposure of pregnant wives: a protocol for a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND: Complications of exposure to second-hand smoke (SHS) are known to affect the health of pregnant women; it requires designing an educational program to reduce the exposure of pregnant women to smoke. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to design an educational program to reduce the exposure of pregnant women with the second-hand smoke of their husband. METHODS: This research-based program is designed in three phases, in the first phase of the study, the level of knowledge, attitude, and practice of men regarding SHS will be measured using a questionnaire. The questionnaire will be based on a literature review and experts opinions. In the next phase the educational program will be designed based on the results of the first phase of the study on the level of knowledge, attitude, self-efficacy, and practice of men, as well as a literature review and experts opinions, and the research team will finalize it according to priorities. To follow up the training will be sent reminders messages. Pregnant women will also be trained to protect themselves and support their husbands to quit smoking. The third phase includes the implementation of educational intervention with pretest-posttest with two intervention and control groups. DISCUSSION: The present study provides strong information and data regarding the needs and strategies for reducing the exposure to second-hand smoke in pregnant women. Therefore, designing a program, and a review article and updated evidences can lead to avoid pregnant women the exposure to second hand smoke and reducing smoking in smoker husbands. It can also reduce their medical and treatment costs. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Registration of this randomized control trial has been completed with the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials, IRCT20180722040555N1.