Evaluation of behavioural change towards smoking in Turkish fathers having 0-1 year old infants during prenatal and postnatal periods

Objective: This study was conducted with the purpose of evaluating changes in fathers' behaviours towards smoking during the prenatal and postnatal periods. Design: A descriptive study conducted in primary health care centres in Kars. Subjects: Parents applying with their 0-1year old babies in order to utilise such relevant services as vaccine and polyclinic were interviewed face to face by means of a semi-structured form between February the 25th and May the 15th 2009. Results: While 50.8% and 36.2% of the fathers admitted smoking near the mother and baby, and 26.9% said that they cut down cigarettes during pregnancy, according to mothers, the figures were 76.2%,55.4% and 16.9%. According to Kappa coefficents it was apparent that there was limited consistency between mother and father statements regarding smoking. Conclusion: Environmental tobacco smoke exposure during pregnancy from a fathers habit remains an important issue.