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Illicit drug use before and during pregnancy at a tertiary maternity hospital 2000-2006
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posted on 2011-03-01, 00:00 authored by M R Hayatbakhsh, A M Kingsbury, V Flenady, K S Gilshenan, Delyse HutchinsonDelyse Hutchinson, J M NajmanIntroduction and Aims. To study the prevalence of use of illicit drugs by women of reproductive age before and during pregnancy and the changes in rates of illicit drug use in pregnancy over recent years. Design and Methods. All pregnant women attending the public antenatal clinic over a 7 year period (2000-2006) were routinely interviewed about their use of illicit drugs by a midwife at the antenatal booking visit. Measurements. Records for 25049 women, who self-reported previous and current use of cannabis, amphetamines, ecstasy and heroin, were included in the study. Results. Cannabis was the most common illicit drug used before and during pregnancy; 9.3% of women were engaged in regular use prior to pregnancy and 2.5% were users during pregnancy. A very low proportion of women reported use of amphetamines, ecstasy or heroin in pregnancy. There was an increase in ever regular use and any past use of cannabis, amphetamines and ecstasy over time. Conclusions. The prevalence of illicit drug use by young women prior to becoming pregnant is of concern. While pregnancy appears to be a strong motivator for women to cease substance use, there is a need to study whether women resume drug use after their baby is born.
History
Journal
Drug and alcohol reviewVolume
30Issue
2Season
Special issue: Alcohol, tobacco, drugs and the European project: five case studiesPagination
181 - 187Publisher
WileyLocation
Chichester, Eng.Publisher DOI
ISSN
0959-5236eISSN
1465-3362Language
engPublication classification
C Journal article; C1.1 Refereed article in a scholarly journalCopyright notice
2010, Australasian Professional Society on Alcohol and other DrugsUsage metrics
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