Title: Two qualitative systematic reviews on pregnant women and their partners knowledge, attitudes and practices reducing second-hand smoke exposure during pregnancy
Funder: The Academy of Medical Sciences

Abstract: The purpose of this visit is to gain knowledge and experience in conducting qualitative systematic reviews. Prof. Hamilton is highly qualified in conducting systematic reviews, particularly qualitative reviews and scoping reviews. Prof. Hamilton has established the Teesside collaborating centre of the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI), and has extensive expertise in the JBI approach to systematic reviewing, completing both the JBI comprehensive systematic review programme and the JBI advanced training to teach the approach. The Joanna Briggs Institute is an international not-for-profit research and development facility within the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Adelaide, South Australia, which supports a global network of collaborating centres that work to synthesise research evidence in health, and is considered the world leader in qualitative research synthesis. The research proposed in this visit will include two qualitative systematic reviews addressing the barriers and facilitators in reducing second hand smoke exposure during pregnancy and after birth – one from the pregnant women’s view and one from the partners’ viewpoint. A considerable amount of research has been done on the barriers and facilitators to smoking cessation among pregnant women who smoke. Yet, there is a dearth of research on the barriers and facilitators for reducing second-hand smoke exposure during pregnancy, and even less from the partners’ point of view. Smoking rates among pregnant women are lower compared to the non-pregnant population. However, a high proportion of pregnant women are still exposed to second-hand smoke during pregnancy, which can lead to detrimental health outcomes for both the mother and baby, including low birth weight, stillbirth, and preterm delivery. In addition, for pregnant women who smoke, one of the major barriers to quitting and remaining a non-smoker throughout their pregnancy and afterwards, is having a partner who smokes as well. The continuing exposure to their partner’s smoke has both health implications (due to the second-hand smoke, mentioned above) but also increases their chances of relapse. Currently most interventions focus on the pregnant women themselves, and very few are directed entirely (or have specific components directed) at the partners’ smoking. The 2 reviews will: 1)Synthesize qualitative data about pregnant women’s knowledge, attitudes and practices on reducing second-hand smoke exposure. 2)Synthesize qualitative data about the knowledge, attitudes and practices on reducing second-hand smoke exposure among pregnant women’s partners who smoke. Prior to the intended visit, the protocol will be written in collaboration with Prof Hamilton, searches for both reviews will be carried out in MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL and PsycINFO. Qualitative studies will be included, with no restriction on language or time of publication. Two researchers from Dr. Bar-Zeev’s team will complete study selection and data extraction for all studies. The research visit will be focused on the analysis phase of these two systematic reviews, enabling Dr. Bar-Zeev to gain new knowledge and experience in analysing and presenting qualitative systematic review findings.


Research activity codes: 7.1 INDIVIDUAL CARE NEEDS;2.3 PSYCHOLOGICAL, SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC FACTORS
Health categories: REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH AND CHILDBIRTH