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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Dodi Hathazi, BS¹, Steve Lankenau, PhD², Bill Sanders, PhD², and Jennifer Jackson Bloom, MPH¹. (1) Division of Research on Children, Youth and Families, Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, 6430 W. Sunset Blvd., Suite 1500, Hollywood, CA 90028, 323-660-2450 (ext 3122), dhathazi@chla.usc.edu, (2) Department of Pediatrics, University of Southern California, 6430 W. Sunset Blvd., Suite 1500, Hollywood, CA 90028

Young homeless injection drug users (IDUs) are at high risk for pregnancy and infectious diseases as they engage in risky sexual behaviors, unsafe injection practices, and frequently have limited access to health services. Yet, few studies have researched rates of pregnancy, pregnancy outcomes, and the extent to which young IDUs participate in their children's lives. During a multi-site, qualitative study conducted between 2004 and 2005, 184 young (IDUs) aged 16 to 28 years were interviewed in New York, Los Angeles, and New Orleans. Among the sample, 19% of respondents reported having children. During an on-going two-year longitudinal study in Los Angeles, 35 respondents were interviewed more specifically about lifetime pregnancies, the health status and location of surviving children, and the outcome of their most recent pregnancy. Among the smaller sample, 77% of women reported a history of pregnancy and 55% of men reported having ever gotten someone pregnant. Regarding their most recent pregnancy, 41% of women miscarried, 36% terminated the pregnancy, 14% were pregnant when interviewed, and 9% delivered a child. A majority received no medical care during most recent pregnancy. Overall, twelve surviving children were reported in Los Angeles, and only one respondent was caring for her child. Additional qualitative data will contextualize the experiences of young IDUs surrounding pregnancy, such as increased drug use, limited use of contraception, and difficulties accessing prenatal care. These findings indicate that pregnancies among young homeless IDUs are a significant, yet underreported health outcome with long-term implications for child, parent, and communities.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to

• Identify a range of behavioral and environmental factors contributing to the high rate of pregnancy among homeless IDUs.
• Describe possible negative health outcomes for young homeless IDUs who become or get someone pregnant.
• Understand the long-term implications for parent, child, and community when homeless IDUs have children.

Keywords: Pregnancy, Injection Drug Users

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered