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[Cannabis use among pregnant women: An epidemiological investigation]
Guillaume Braun1, Julie Blanc1, Barthélémy Tosello1
1Faculté de médecine de Marseille, Marseille, France; Gynécologie-obstétrique, AP-HM hôpital Nord, Marseille, France; Gynécologie-obstétrique, AP-HM hôpital Conception, Marseille, France.
Objective:
To estimate the prevalence of pregnant women using cannabis during pregnancy in Marseille, and to determine their socio-demographic characteristics and general knowledge on the subject.
Materials And Methods:
We conducted a cross-sectional descriptive epidemiological investigation in the maternity wards of Hôpital Nord and Hôpital de la Conception. We distributed a questionnaire to eligible patients hospitalized after delivery, designed to gather socio-demographic and gynecological information, as well as information on cannabis, tobacco, alcohol and other drug use habits, and knowledge of the consequences of such use.
Results:
We distributed the questionnaires over a 6-month period between April and September 2023. Among responses, 503 were analyzed. The proportion of patients who had used cannabis during pregnancy was 2.7% [1.3-4.1]. Cannabis was overwhelmingly consumed in the form of a smoked joint. There was no difference in socio-demographic characteristics between the groups of patients who used cannabis and those who did not. The majority of women surveyed (79%) felt that cannabis use was harmful to both mother and fetus.
Conclusion:
Although cannabis use during pregnancy may seem marginal, it remains the most widely used illicit substance. Even if estimating this consumption is difficult, it remains a topical concern.
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