Abstract

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.

Key words: Prevalence, tobacco use, risk factors, pregnant women.

Abbreviation

CDC, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; CTC, Centre for Tobacco Control, DHMT, District Health Management Team; DHS, Demographic Health Surveys; GATS, Global Adult Tobacco Survey; LMICS, Low- and Middle-Income Countries; MDLG, Maracha District Local Government; MOHP, Ministry of Health and Population; NDHS, Nepal Demographic Health Survey, NHS, National Health Survey; PNFP, Private Not For Profit; SHS, Second Hand Smoking; SLT Smokeless Tobacco; SPSS, Statistical Package for Social Scientists; UDHS, Uganda Demographic Health Survey; The UK, United Kingdom;  UNFPA, Uganda National Family Planning Association; The US, United States of America; UTCA, Uganda Tobacco Control Act; WHO, World Health Organization.