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In a funded intervention development study (Medical Research Council: MRC MR/P016944/1), our research team created a package of support called BabyBreathe™ to help women stay smoke free following the birth of a baby.
The BabyBreathe™ trial has finished recruiting. Women who quit smoking during pregnancy, or in the 12 months before pregnancy, were identified across four areas of the UK (Norfolk, London, Scotland, North East). If they agreed to be part of the trial, they were randomised into one of two groups, receiving the support of BabyBreathe™, or usual care, with the same chance of being in either group.
We followed up participants at 6 and 12 months after the birth of the baby and asked about tobacco smoking. Individual use carbon monoxide monitors enabled participants to submit a breath test reading remotely to verify their smoking status.
Background
In an MRC funded intervention development study our research team created a package of support called BabyBreathe™ to help women stay smoke free following the birth of a baby.
This includes support from a health visitor, tailored online, app based and text message support, support to use alternatives to smoking and self-rewards to remain smoke free. You can read more about how the intervention was developed via the PubMed website.
In the trial we measured how many women receiving the BabyBreathe™ support package were still smoke free at 12 months following the birth of their baby compared to those not receiving additional support. We also assessed the value for money of the package of support and looked into which parts of the package are most used, ‘liked’ and appear most effective by talking in depth to women, partners and health visitors. The trial protocol can be viewed on PubMed.
The BabyBreathe™ trial was funded by the National Institute for Health Research Public Health Research programme. UEA worked in collaboration with St George’s University of London, The University of Edinburgh, University of Stirling, The Institute of Health Visiting, The University of Leicester, and NHS Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board (ICB).
We are currently disseminating findings form this major trial and will post published outputs here as soon as they are available.
