TOBACCO SMOKING AMONG PREGNANT-WOMEN IN A N URBAN AREA IN SOUTHERN BRAZIL, 1982-93

Objective A comparison between on the prevalence of smoking during pre gnancy in 1982 and that in 1993 in Pelotas, Southern Brazil. Methodolo gy Cross-sectional study. All hospital deliveries ill 1982 and 1993 - corresponding to over 99% of all births in those years - were studied. A total of 6,011 and 5,304 mothers were interviewed, respectively. Re sults The prevalence of smoking during pregnancy showed a small decrea se from 35.7% in 1982 to 33.5% in 1993 (p < 0.05). In the two years un der study, family income and number of antenatal care visits were inve rsely associated with the prevalence of maternal smoking. The rate of stopping smoking during pregnancy was 20.6%.