Understanding the Intentions of Pregnant Nullipara to Not Smoke Cigarettes after Childbirth

The aim of this study was to identify factors that may influence a nullipara's decision not to smoke cigarettes following childbirth. A sample of sixty-three nullipara were asked to complete a questionnaire investigating the variables identified in the theories of Fishbein and Ajzen, Triandis, and Bandura. The regression of intentions on all variables yielded an R 2 of 0.80 ( p < 0.0001). Three variables contributed equally in explaining this variance: perceived self-efficacy, smoking habits during pregnancy, and attitude. MANOVA analyses also indicated significant differences between the cognitive profiles of high (HI) and low (LI) in tenders. Relative to LI, HI believed that not smoking cigarettes after delivery would have positive outcomes for both the baby and themselves and they valued these outcomes more strongly. The results demonstrate the importance of designing health promotion programs which improve not only a pregnant woman's knowledge of the benefits for the baby and herself of not smoking cigarettes after delivery, but also personal self-efficacy concerning not-smoking.