Original Article

Religiosity, Spirituality, and Tobacco Use by Pregnant Women

Authors: Joshua R. Mann, MD, MPH, Robert E. McKeown, PhD, Janice Bacon, MD, Roumen Vesselinov, PhD, Freda Bush, MD

Abstract

Background: Tobacco use during pregnancy is associated with adverse child outcomes. There is evidence that religiosity/spirituality is associated with less tobacco use. This study aims to investigate the association further, including an assessment of overall religiousness and specific aspects of religiosity/spirituality.


Methods: 404 pregnant women receiving prenatal care in three southern obstetrics practices were surveyed regarding religiosity/spirituality, other psychosocial characteristics, and recent tobacco use.


Results: Recent tobacco use was reported by 8% of study participants. In multivariable modeling, black race (OR = 0.32), social support (OR = 0.92), and overall religiousness (OR = 0.57) were significantly associated with lower odds of reporting recent tobacco use. Participation in organized religious activities and self-rated religiosity were the religious/spiritual measures most strongly associated with lower odds of tobacco use.


Conclusions: More religious/spiritual women appear to be less likely to use tobacco during pregnancy. Additional research is needed to investigate potential pathways for this association.


Key Points


* Overall religiousness is associated with less tobacco use in pregnant women.


* Participation in organized religious activities and self-rated religiosity appear to be the most important of the religious and spiritual characteristics studied.


* Social support is also associated with less tobacco use.

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