Cigarette, alcohol, and other drug use by school-age pregnant adolescents: Prevalence, detection, and associated risk factors

Use of cigarettes, alcohol, and other drugs among pregnant adolescents is just beginning to be documented. This study sought to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of cigarette, alcohol, and other drug use among school-age adolescents attending a comprehensive teenage pregnancy program. All enrollees completed a self-administered questionnaire and provided a breath sample for carbon monoxide analysis. Urine was obtained for quantitative determination of drug metabolites at the initial and one third- trimester visit. A chart review determined medical provider recognition of cigarette, alcohol, and other drug use. Results were analyzed for 93% of 229 eligible patients. Seventeen percent were positive for alcohol or other drug use by questionnaire self-report, provider report, or initial urine screen. Eleven percent were positive by urine screen alone at either the initial or third-trimester visit. Medical providers were successful in identifying nearly all of the cigarette smokers, but fewer than half of the alcohol drinkers and few of the other drug users. Forward stepwise multiple regression determined the most efficient model for predicting alcohol and other drug use. A report of having been high at school and personal or friends' use of cigarettes were the most significant risk factors. Results indicate a high prevalence of alcohol and other drug use and suggest a need for changes in current practice related to the detection and management of such drug use in pregnant adolescents.