Prevalence of tobacco use and associated risk factors among pregnant women in Maracha District, Uganda

Globally, tobacco use has become the largest public health threat that kills around 7 million people annually, of which about 6 million deaths are due to direct tobacco use, and 890,000 are attributed to passive smoking. This study assessed prevalence and associated risk factors of tobacco use among pregnant women, 15 to 49 years. Health facility-based analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among 199 pregnant women using purposive sampling technique and convenient sampling technique for the respondents. Chi-square test and binary logistic regression were used to compare quantitative data at a 95% CI. Prevalence of tobacco use among respondents was 39.2%. The results gives those who starting to smoke at more than 30 years (p≤0.001), agreeing that smoking makes pregnant women feel they have total control over their health and life (p≤0.008); the likelihood of tobacco use reduced among pregnant women aged 20-29 years (p≤0.032), those disagreeing that tobacco use as a sign of maturity (p≤0.003) and disagreeing that smoking can help calm nerves, control moods, and alleviates stress (p≤0.002). However, cultural factors that reduced the chances of smoking in pregnancy include smoking more than five times a day (p≤0.01) and smoking cigarettes (p≤0.017), were statistically associated with smoking. High prevalence of tobacco use among pregnant women in Kijomoro and Eliofe health center III was recorded. Thus, there is need to sensitize pregnant women about tobacco-related health problems on them and their unborn children.