Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #105992

Vivian Gettys, RN, MPH, FASD Prevention Collaborative, Capital Area Human Services District, 4615 Government Street, Building 2, Baton Rouge, LA 70806, 225.925.7928, vgettys@dhh.la.gov, Ira J. Chasnoff, MD, President, Children's Research Triangle, 180 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 700, Chicago, IL 60601, Andrew Curtis, PhD, Department of Geography and Anthropology, Louisiana State University, Howe-Russell Complex, Baton Rouge, LA 70803-4105, and Capi A. Landreneau, MSW, GSW, Louisiana Chapter, March of Dimes, 12015 Justice Avenue, Baton Rouge, LA 70816.

Prenatal exposure to alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drugs is the leading preventable cause of birth defects and developmental disabilities among infants. Research has shown that screening and brief interventions in primary care settings are effective in initiating behavior changes to abstain from alcohol and other drug use during pregnancy. Results of the implementation of the research-based 4 P's Plusİ perinatal substance use screening tool among 710 pregnant women receiving prenatal care in a public maternity clinic and WIC clinic as a pilot study are presented. Among women screened, 59% were African American, 15% were Caucasian, 8% were Hispanic, 3% Asian, 5% Other, 10% No Answer. The rate of positive screens for substance use was similar to previous studies with the 4P's Plusİ screening tool: 168 (24%) women had smoked cigarettes, 188 (26%) had used alcohol, and 74 (10%) used both. The overall rate of positive screen for any substance use was 40%. Of women screened, 125 (18%) reported using alcohol, tobacco, and/or illicit drugs after they knew they were pregnant. During the brief intervention, referrals to resources in the community were also provided. Results indicated that of the women who screened positive for substance use, there were 51 referrals to tobacco cessation programs, 21 referrals to substance abuse treatment, and 18 referrals to domestic violence resources. Implementation of a screening and brief intervention process in a public maternity clinic and WIC clinic is an effective strategy to increase access to information and services to address substance use among pregnant women.

Learning Objectives: