Alcohol, caffeine and tobacco use during pregnancy and associated risk factors in a population-based study

Abstract

Introduction The use of psychoactive substances is quite widespread among general population. Data on the prevalence of drug use among pregnant women are not available for most European countries. Aims To assess the prevalence of substance use during pregnancy and associated risk factors with regard to sociodemographic and obstetric variables, coping strategies, and personality traits. Methods Design: a population-based, prospective, multicentre study. Setting: seven teaching hospitals in Spain. Participants: 1804 women were recruited on day 2–3 postpartum. Measurements: All participants completed a semi-structured interview, including sociodemographic, reproductive and obstetric variables, personal and family psychiatric disorders and self-reported drug use during pregnancy. The STAI, EPQ-R, COPE-28 and the DUKE-UNC questionnaires were administered to assess personality traits, coping skills and social support. Results Fifty percent reported substance use during pregnancy. Of the 909 who did so, 52.5% used caffeine only, 14.7% tobacco only, 0.8% alcohol only, 24% caffeine and tobacco, 3.6% caffeine and alcohol, and 2.5% caffeine, tobacco and alcohol, and 1.9% others. Lower education (OR=1.32, 95% CI=1.00–1.73), sick leave (OR=1.74, 95% CI=1.15–2.63) and personal psychiatry history (OR=1.36, 95% CI=1.04–1.78) were independent factors associated with substance use during pregnancy. Primiparity was a protective factor (OR=−0.71, 95% CI=0.59–0.87), and psychoticism (OR=1.02, 95% CI=1.00–1.03), extraversion (OR=1.01, 95% CI=1.00–1.02) personality traits and the use of substances to cope with emotions (OR=2.49, 95% CI=1.38–4.49) were identified as risk factors. Conclusions In our non-clinical sample, one out of every two women reported substance use during pregnancy. Substance use during pregnancy was associated with sociodemographic characteristics, history of psychiatric disorder, health problems and specific pattern of personality traits and coping strategies.