Smoking Cessation and Breastfeeding Promotion Education for Prenatal Providers in West Virginia

Abstract

Smoking Cessation and Breastfeeding Promotion Education for Prenatal Providers in West Virginia Kimberly Greenfield MPH Background: West Virginia has the highest prenatal smoking cessation rate in the United States and is among the states with the lowest breastfeeding rate in the nation. West Virginia also faces health disparities and limited prenatal health resources, especially in at-risk areas. In an effort to improve resources in at-risk areas of the state, the “Health Education for Prenatal Providers in Appalachia” (HEPPA), using the ACOG 5As smoking cessation intervention and breastfeeding promotion, was developed for delivery to interprofessional providers. Method: The HEPPA program delivered to healthcare and social service providers in four contiguous counties was evaluated by comparing pre-test and post-test survey responses regarding knowledge, attitude, and behaviors of smoking cessation and breastfeeding promotion. Results: Findings show that respondents’ attitudes towards both prenatal smoking cessation and breastfeeding promotion improved. Knowledge levels of prenatal smoking effects significantly