BACKGROUND: Worldwide, use of tobacco is viewed as an important threat to the health of pregnant women and their children. However, the extent of tobacco use in pregnant women in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) remains unclear. We assessed the magnitude of tobacco use in pregnant women in LMICs. METHODS: We used data from Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) done in 54 LMICs between Jan 1, 2001, and Dec 1, 2012, comprising 58 922 pregnant women (aged 15-49 years), which were grouped by WHO region. Prevalence of current tobacco use (smoked and smokeless) was estimated for every country. Pooled estimates by regions and overall were obtained from random-effects meta-analysis. FINDINGS: Pooled prevalence of any tobacco use in pregnant women in LMICs was 2.6% (95% CI 1.8-3.6); the lowest prevalence was in the African region (2.0%, 1.2-2.9) and the highest was in the Southeast Asian region (5.1%, 1.3-10.9). The pooled prevalence of current tobacco smoking in pregnant women ranged from 0.6% (0.3-0.8) in the African region to 3.5% (1.5-12.1) in the Western Pacific region. The pooled prevalence of current smokeless tobacco use in pregnant women was lowest in the European region (0.1%, 0.0-0.3) and highest in the Southeast Asian region (2.6%, 0.0-7.6). INTERPRETATION: Overall, tobacco use in pregnant women in LMICs was low; however high prevalence estimates were noted in some LMICs. Prevention and management of tobacco use and exposure to second-hand smoke in pregnancy is crucial to protect maternal and child health in LMICs. FUNDING: None.
a2214-109X (Electronic)