This indicator reports on the age-standardised proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women who smoked during pregnancy. The goal for this indicator is 37% by 2023.
Why is it important?
Smoking during pregnancy is the most common preventable risk factor for pregnancy complications and is associated with poorer perinatal outcomes. Women who stop smoking during pregnancy can reduce the risk of adverse outcomes for themselves and their babies. Support to stop smoking is widely available through antenatal clinics (AIHW 2020).
What data are available?
Data for this indicator were sourced from the National Perinatal Data Collection (NPDC). Perinatal data are collected for each birth in each state and territory, most commonly by midwives.
What do the data show?
Progress towards the goal is not on track. The age-standardised rate in 2018 was 44%, which was above the trajectory point of 42% required to meet the goal.
Based on age-standardised rates, the proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women smoking during pregnancy:
- Decreased from 50% to 43% between 2009 and 2016 and increased slightly to 44% in 2017 and 2018.
- Between 2013 and 2016, the proportion decreased at a similar rate to the trajectory required to meet the goal by 2023. However, in 2017 and 2018 the rates began to deviate from the trajectory points and were above the trajectory points required to meet the goal.
In 2018, based on age-standardised rates:
- The smoking rate among Indigenous women was highest in Very remote areas (60%) and lowest in Major cities (38%).
- 44% of Indigenous women reported smoking during pregnancy, compared with 11% of non-Indigenous women.
- The rate of smoking during pregnancy varied by state/territory, from 58% in the Northern Territory to 42% in Victoria.