CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

• Background of the Study

Cigarettes were first introduced in the United States in the early 19th century. Before this, tobacco was used primarily in pipes and cigars, by chewing, and in snuff. By the time of the Civil War, cigarette use had become more popular. Federal tax was first imposed on cigarettes in 1864. Shortly afterwards, the development of the cigarette manufacturing industry led to their quickly becoming a major U.S. tobacco product. At the same time, the populist health reform movement led to early anti-smoking activity. From 1880–1920, this activity was largely motivated by moral and hygienic concerns rather than health issues. The milder flue-cured tobacco blends used in cigarettes during the early 20th century made the smoke easier to inhale and increased nicotine absorption into the bloodstream. During World War I, Army surgeons praised cigarettes for helping the wounded relax and easing their pain (Direck, Hals 1914)

 Until the last decade, the public health focus on Africa has been on communicable
diseases such as HIV, malaria, and tuberculosis (Dalal et al., 2011). Research funding and
domestic health policies have been directed disproportionately towards communicable diseases
while ignoring the rise in non-communicable illnesses. By 2030, non-communicable diseases
like lung cancer, heart disease, and cervical cancer will be responsible for more deaths in Africa
(Dalal et al., 2011). Even worse, when communicable and non-communicable diseases co-exist
in one individual, the prognosis is poor. Because tobacco has been identified as a causative
agent of several cancers, and it affects multiple organ systems simultaneously, its consumer
trajectory in Africa with high rates of communicable diseases is troubling (Marquez &
Farrington, 2012).Data from six health regions classified by the WHO (Africa, Eastern Mediterranean, European, Americas, Western Pacific, and South East Asia) suggest that smoking prevalence in developed regions, such as the American and European regions, is high (20.5% and 31.2% respectively) compared to smoking prevalence in the African region (15.8%; WHO, 2014).When analyzed with the human, social, and financial impact of tobacco related illnesses and deaths in mind, the current rise in tobacco use in Africa would have devastating consequences. 4 %, 39.7%, and 25.5% respectively (Erickson, Mechay, & Ross, 2013)

 Cigarettes and other tobacco products have adverse health consequences (Abrams, 2014).Knowledge about the negative effects of smoking influences whether people start or contemplate stopping the use of tobacco (Freedman, Nelson, & Feldman, 2011). A rise and drop in smoking prevalence in developed nations characterized the second half of the 20th century, but in Cameroon, smoking is becoming an epidemic (Tumwine, 2011). Projected population growth in Cameroon has led cigarette manufacturers to target new and younger smokers (Network of African Science Academies, 2014; Schmidt, 2014). In response to the implementation of anti-tobacco policies developed at the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, tobacco manufacturers are rethinking and circumventing conventional advertisement strategies in low and medium income countries despite the number of smoking related fatalities (Gilmore, 2014).

1.2 Problem Statement

Cigarette use is one of the biggest threats to public health globally. (Doll et al 2014) the harm caused by smoking during pregnancy have been well documented in research and increases the risk of perinatal, mortality and morbidity such as miscarriage, premature birth and low weight (Hammoud, 2005) smoking during pregnancy is also associated with a higher risk of respiratory infection such as asthma and Bronchits in the infant which is exacerbated by materials and smoking during infancy (Jaakola and Gissler, 2004). Maternal smoking during pregnancy is a proven predictor of asthma and wheeze in children. Thus this research is to assess the knowledge on the consequences of cigarette, smoking on pregnancy among women attending ANC at the Molyko Health Centre.

1.3 Rational of the Study

This research was chosen as to outline the consequences of cigarette smoking on pregnancy such as low birth weight miscarriage and preterm delivery. And in other to bring out possible options on how these consequences can be avoided such as total abstinence from cigarette smoking during pregnancy.

1.4 Research Questions

1. What knowledge do pregnant women have attending ANC on cigarette in Pregnancy?
2. What are the associated risk factors that influence cigarette smoking during pregnancy?
3. What are the consequences of cigarette smoking on pregnancy?

1.5 Objective of Study

The main objective of this study is to Assessing The Knowledge On The Consequence Of Cigarette Smoking Among Pregnant Women Attending Anc At The Molyko Health Centre Buea.

1.5.2 Specific Objectives

• To find out the knowledge of cigarette smoking on pregnancy among pregnant women attending ANC in the Molyko Health Centre.
• To identify the associated risk factor of cigarette smoking on pregnancy among women. Attending ANC at the Molyko Health Centre.
• To find out the consequences of cigarette smoking on pregnancy among women attending ANC in the Molyko Health Centre