Objective: Among obstetricians and midwives, estimate the percentage of smokers, appraise the proportion of medical professionals who mention the subject of nicotine addiction to their pregnant patients, and assess the quality of the information delivered to patients as well as their own experience in the field of tobacology.
Patients and methods: Between February and March 2002, 188 postal questionnaires were sent to obstetricians and gynecologists, midwives and midwife students of public hospitals in Limousin and private clinics in Limoges.
Results: The response rate was 75,5% (142 answers) and the median age was 37 years old (20-59). 43,6% of the respondents were current smokers. Patients' smoking habits would be asked for and the risks of tobacco smoking would be explained by the majority of praticians and midwives. Minimal counsel to be given was known and given by 34,4% of gynecologists an 26,5% of midwives. Smoking cessation counselling was never proposed by 62% of gynecologists and 79% of midwives. Seventy per cent of them did not have any specific training in the field of tobacology during their studies.
Discussion and conclusion: There seems to be a deficiency in smoking cessation help for pregnant women in Limousin. Specifics programs and trainings for obstetricians, gynecologists, as well as midwives should be organized.