The 13th World Conference on Tobacco OR Health

Objective: To identify the impact of maternal waterpipe smoking on delivery outcome (mode of delivery, Preterm birth, birth weight, head circumference, and stillbirth).

Methods: This study was conducted in rural areas of the most prevalent Province regarding water pipe smoking i.e. the Booshehr Province, located on the south-west of Iran. We conducted a population-based. Multiple- regression method was used to study the associations between the independent (prenatal water pipe smoke exposure) and control variables and the dependent variable (birth weight).

Results: Of 2808 pregnant women 8 percent (n=224, 95% CI, 7-9%) were water pipe smokers. 11.5% (n=322) were exposed to cigarette smoke passively. 674 subjects (24%) were passively exposed to water pipe smoke during during pregnancy. The prevalence of low birth weight was 5.9 percent, and the mean (±SD) of birth weight was 3247.2(±543.2). The birth weight was not statistically different regarding the water pipe smoking status, but the time of onset of water pipe smoking showed a deleterious effect on birth weight so those starting at the first trimester had a lower birth weight (3215gr versus to 3447gr). The most potent predictor of LBW was a positive history of previous LBW (adjusted OR = 6.19; CI 95% 4.19-9.15). Using multiple linear regression, and controlling for the baseline variables the adjusted mean of birth weight in water pipe smokers and nonsmokers were not statistically different [3260.5 (±175.8) and 3246.1(±538.1), respectively]. The correlation coefficient between the frequency of water pipe smoking and birth weight in the water pipe smokers was -0.21 (p=0.01).