A pioneering initiative designed to support pregnant First Nations women in quitting smoking is expanding nationwide following successful clinical trials this week.
The iSISTAQUIT program, which has been tested through training and resources involving over 40 health services across Australia, including numerous Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHOs), will now be available nationwide.
The program offers a self-paced, four-hour online training course for a range of health professionals, including midwives, nurses, Aboriginal health workers, GPs, and obstetricians, as well as for health services such as ACCHOs, medical centers, and hospitals.
Rebecca Hyland, Senior Program Manager and Kamilaroi-Gomeroi woman, emphasized that iSISTAQUIT aims to equip health professionals with the tools needed to support pregnant Indigenous women in creating a smoke-free future for themselves and their unborn children.
“Our women are strong, resilient, and eager to quit smoking and vaping during pregnancy. It is crucial for health professionals to be trained and prepared to help them,” Ms. Hyland said.
Professor Gillian Gould, the project lead for iSISTAQUIT, highlighted the strong support for the program, noting that “92 percent of the health professionals who participated in the course recommend the iSISTAQUIT training.”
According to the National Perinatal Data Collection, the rate of smoking among First Nations mothers during pregnancy has declined over time. However, the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare reports that First Nations mothers are still more likely to smoke during pregnancy compared to non-Indigenous mothers.
Ms. Hyland explained that iSISTAQUIT’s smoking and vaping cessation training includes free educational resources such as a treatment manual, a consultation flipchart, and a ‘My Journey Booklet’ for clients.
“Feedback from health professionals revealed that while they recognize the importance of not smoking during pregnancy, many lacked the confidence, skills, or optimism to address the issue effectively,” Ms. Hyland said.
All health professionals who complete the training are eligible to earn Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points.
