Patterns and Trends in Use of Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems Before and During Pregnancy: Pregnancy Risk assessment Monitoring System, United States, 2016-2019.

Introduction:
This text provides an analysis of the prevalence and trends of electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS) use among pregnant women in the United States. The study uses data from the Pregnancy Risk assessment Monitoring System (PRaMS) from 2016 to 2019. The reader will learn about the patterns of ENDS and cigarette use among pregnant women, changes in use from before to during pregnancy, and the association between maternal depression and ENDS use.

Key Points:

* The prevalence of ENDS use among pregnant women was 4.3% in the three months before pregnancy and 1.3% during the last three months of pregnancy in 2019.
* The prevalence of ENDS use was higher among women who were younger, non-hispanic White, had a high school education or less, and had a household income at or below the federal poverty level.
* Women who reported prenatal or postpartum depression had higher prevalence of ENDS use before and during pregnancy.
* Exclusive cigarette use was more common than dual use of ENDS and cigarettes or exclusive ENDS use.
* From 2016-2019, there was a decrease in exclusive cigarette smoking and an increase in exclusive ENDS use both before and during pregnancy.
* a large percentage of women who used ENDS exclusively before pregnancy quit during pregnancy, as did 55.0% of exclusive cigarette smokers.
* Fewer than half of dual users quit during pregnancy, and approximately one in five dual users remained dual users during pregnancy.

Main Message:
The study highlights the importance of continued surveillance of ENDS use during pregnancy, as the prevalence of exclusive ENDS use has increased in recent years. The findings suggest that dual users may face unique challenges to quitting, and further research is needed to determine whether there is an increasing trend over time. The association between maternal depression and ENDS use also warrants further investigation. Overall, the study emphasizes the need for timely and adequate access to prenatal care, tobacco screening and education, and cessation support programs to reduce the prevalence of tobacco and nicotine use among pregnant women.

head SK, Zaganjor I, Kofie JN, Sawdey MD, Cullen Ka. Patterns and Trends in Use of Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems Before and During Pregnancy: Pregnancy Risk assessment Monitoring System, United States, 2016-2019. Journal of community health. 2022;47(2):351-360. doi:10.1007/s10900-021-01055-3