Perinatal Drug Use Among Immigrant and Native-Born Latinas

• NCJ Number: 165281
• Journal: Substance Use and Misuse Volume: 32 Issue: 1 Dated: (January 1997) Pages: 43-62
• Author(s): W A Vega; B Kolody; J Hwang; A Noble; P A Porter
• Date Published: 1997
• Length: 20 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: California Dept of Alcohol and Drug Programs
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Because perinatal drug exposure poses a significant health hazard for women and imperils normal fetal and neonatal development and little is known about drug exposure patterns among pregnant immigrant and native-born Latinas in the United States, multivariate risk factor analysis for alcohol and illicit drug use was performed using data from the California Perinatal Substance Exposure Study.

Abstract

A statistical probability sample of 11,002 Latinas who were tested anonymously using urine toxicology screening techniques was employed. Alcohol use during pregnancy was pervasive among both immigrant and native-born Latinas (7 percent), with little variation on risk factors. Illicit drug use was found primarily in a high-risk group of native-born Latinas between 25 and 34 years of age who received no prenatal care. Increased general awareness of perinatal alcohol risk by medical providers and public health practitioners serving the Latina population is needed. In addition, the potential isolation of native-born Latinas who are at risk for using illicit drugs during pregnancy requires effective communication and outreach.