216001 Comparing pregnant and non-pregnant women in South Africa: Drug use, HIV risk and the need for comprehensive services

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Hendree Jones, PhD , Substance Abuse Treatment Evaluations and Interventions Program, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC
Felicia A. Browne, MPH, CHES , Substance Abuse Treatment Evaluations and Interventions, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC
Bronwyn Myers, PhD , Alcohol and Drug Unit, Medical Research Council, Tygerberg (Cape Town), South Africa
Tara Carney, MA , Alcohol and Drug Unit, Medical Research Council, Tygerberg (Cape Town), South Africa
Rachel Middlesteadt Ellerson , Substance Abuse Treatment Evaluations and Interventions, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC
Tracy Kline, PhD , StatEpi-Program Evaluation and Outcome Measurement, RTI International, Durham, NC
Winona Poulton, MPH , Substance Abuse Treatment Evaluations and Interventions Program, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC
William A. Zule, DrPH , Substance Abuse Treatment Interventions and Evaluations, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC
Wendee M. Wechsberg, PhD , Substance Abuse Treatment Evaluations and Interventions, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC
Background: Cape Town South Africa is challenged with how to best reduce drug use, including a rising methamphetamine epidemic, in childbearing age women. To develop effective women-specific treatments, it is necessary to first examine the presenting issues that pregnant and non-pregnant drug-users face. Methods: Pregnant (n=22) and non-pregnant women (n=288) drug-users were compared on a priori selected baseline variables that encompassed demographic, HIV-risk and comprehensive-service domains. Results: The total sample mean age and years of completed education were 23.3 (SD=4.3) and 9.1 (SD=2.0) respectively. Past-month drug-use differed by pregnancy status only for methamphetamine (local-name “tik”) with a larger proportion of pregnant than non-pregnant women reporting “tik” use (95.5% vs. 68.8%; p=0.008). Other drug use, including alcohol (91%) and marijuana (local-name “dagga”; 70.3%), were reported by the majority of both groups. While over 90% of both groups reported having sex with their main partner in the past-month (mean= 7.7; SD=6.7 times), pregnant women reported fewer times of condom use in the past-month (0.2 vs. 1.78; p=<0.0001). Regarding comprehensive-service assistance, a greater proportion of pregnant than non-pregnant women wanted educational assistance (72.7% vs. 46.5%; p=0.018). The most requested services included employment (89.4%), financial assistance (89.4%), and housing (75.2%). Mental health assistance was least requested (21.9%). Conclusions: These findings suggest that (1) there is an urgent need for treatment to address methamphetamine-use in pregnant women; and (2) there are both common and unique issues that must be addressed when developing and adapting comprehensive treatments for drug-using women which are dependent upon pregnancy status.

Learning Areas:
Diversity and culture
Public health or related research

Learning Objectives:
To compare and contrast the demographic, HIV risks and need for comprehensive services between pregnant and non-pregnant drug-users in South Africa as a first step in adapting a comprehensive drug treatment program for the South African cultural context.

Keywords: Drug Abuse Treatment, Women and HIV/AIDS

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am a co-investigtor on this study
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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