RESUMEN
PURPOSE: Little is known about the prevalence and patterns of smoking among pregnant teenagers. We provide a comprehensive description of the prevalence, patterns and correlates of smoking from a recent sample of 199 pregnant adolescents. METHODS: We interviewed pregnant teenagers at mid-pregnancy and delivery to obtain information on tobacco and other substance use before and during pregnancy and on demographic, medical and psychosocial status. RESULTS: The average age was 16.1 years (range 12-18); 70% were African-American. Smoking was prevalent and increased from first (59%) to third (62%) trimesters. This increase was in sharp contrast to decreases in other substances. Caucasians had higher rates of smoking and heavier smoking. For Caucasians, third trimester smoking was predicted by peer smoking and early onset of sexual activity. For African-Americans, third trimester smoking was related to older age, not living with parent(s), dissatisfaction with social support, early pregnancy binge drinking, peer smoking, and early onset of sexual activity. CONCLUSIONS: The high prevalence and increasing pattern of prenatal smoking in teenagers is a major public health concern. Effective education and cessation programs must be targeted at pregnant teenagers.
Asunto(s)
Embarazo en Adolescencia/psicología , Fumar/epidemiología , Adolescente , Conducta del Adolescente , Negro o Afroamericano/estadística & datos numéricos , Consumo de Bebidas Alcohólicas , Estudios de Cohortes , Femenino , Humanos , Grupo Paritario , Embarazo , Tercer Trimestre del Embarazo , Embarazo en Adolescencia/estadística & datos numéricos , Prevalencia , Análisis de Regresión , Conducta Sexual , Fumar/etnología , Fumar/psicología , Población Blanca/estadística & datos numéricosRESUMEN
Marijuana is the most commonly used illicit substance among pregnant women. Although there has been substantial concern about the effects of substance use during pregnancy, few studies have assessed the effects of prenatal exposure to marijuana and even fewer have provided longitudinal data on the developmental outcome of offspring. This is a report from a longitudinal study of substance use during pregnancy. The women in the cohort were of lower socioeconomic status, most were single, half were white and half were African-American. Women were interviewed at the fourth and seventh prenatal months, and women and children were assessed at delivery, 8, 18, and 36 months. Pediatric assessment included physical and cognitive development. At each study phase, mothers were interviewed about life style, living situation, current substance use, sociodemographic, and psychological status. Findings are reported on 655 women and children who were assessed at the third year. There were significant negative effects of prenatal marijuana exposure on the performance of 3-year-old children on the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale. The effects were associated with exposure during the first and second trimesters of pregnancy. Among the offspring of white women, these effects were moderated by the child's attendance at preschool/day-care at age three.