Substance Use and Misuse
Volume 32, Issue 1, 1997, Pages 43-62

Perinatal drug use among immigrant and native-born Latinas (Article)

Vega W.A.* , Kolody B. , Hwang J. , Noble A. , Porter P.A.
  • a University of California, Berkeley, CA, United States
  • b San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, United States
  • c National University, San Diego, CA, United States
  • d Western Consortium for Public Health, Berkeley, CA, United States
  • e Western Consortium for Public Health, Berkeley, CA, United States

Abstract

Perinatal drug exposures pose a significant health hazard for women and imperil normal fetal and neonatal development. Little is known about patterns of drug exposure among pregnant immigrant and native-born Latinas in the United States. We present multivariate risk factor analyses for alcohol and illicit drug use from the California Perinatal Substance Exposure Study using a statistical probability sample (N = 11,002) of Latinas who were tested anonymously using urine toxicology screening techniques. Alcohol use during pregnancy was pervasive among both immigrant and United States-born Latinas (7%) with little variation on risk factors. Illicit drug use was found primarily in a high risk group of United States-horn Latinas between 25 and 34 years of age who received no prenatal care (prevalence 50%, odds ratio of 185). Increased general awareness of perinatal alcohol risk by medical providers and public health practitioners serving this population is needed. The potential isolation of United States-born Latinas who are at risk for using illicit drugs during pregnancy requires effective communication and outreach.

Author Keywords

Perinatal risk factors Latinas Drug use Acculturation

Index Keywords

ethnic group female major clinical study priority journal Multivariate Analysis prenatal care cultural factor pregnancy population research perinatal drug exposure fetus development health hazard Article screening human adult
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-0031047855&doi=10.3109%2f10826089709027296&partnerID=40&md5=de81458178b56366d13a85ac9fc01604
DOI: 10.3109/10826089709027296
ISSN: 10826084
Cited by: 36
Original Language: English