Differences In Substance Use Patterns Research Articles

Most Teenagers who Obtain Prenatal Care at Public Clinics Discontinue Substance Use Early in Pregnancy

Cigarette alcohol and illegal drug use patterns before and during pregnancy were investigated in a survey of 248 young women 15-19 years of age who presented to five public prenatal clinics in rural Arkansas in 1993-94 during their first trimester of pregnancy. 61% of respondents were Black and 81% were unmarried. Overall 79% reported use of any substance prior to the pregnancy and 49% had used at least one substance during their first trimester. At both time points Whites reported significantly higher rates of substance use than Blacks. 82% of White teens compared with 46% of Blacks had smoked cigarettes in the 6 months before pregnancy; 67% and 39% respectively had smoked during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. 42% of Whites and 25% of Blacks had used marijuana in the period before pregnancy; during the first trimester these rates were 19% and 6% respectively. 16% of teens in both groups drank during their first trimester. The proportion of respondents using two or more substances fell from 53% (33% of Blacks and 73% of Whites) in the 6 months preceding pregnancy to 3% (9% of Blacks and 3% of Whites) in the first trimester. Overall 16% fewer adolescents smoked during their first trimester than before conceiving 65% fewer used marijuana and 72% fewer used alcohol or other drugs. The decline in alcohol consumption was greater among Whites than Blacks (78% and 63% respectively) while that in marijuana use was greater among Blacks than Whites (76% and 55% respectively). Further understanding of the factors underlying ethnic differences in substance use patterns is required to facilitate the design of preventive programs.