Perinatal drug use among immigrant and native-born Latinas

Perinatal drug exposures pose a significant health hazard for women and imperil normal fetal and neonatal development. Little is known about patterns of drug exposure among pregnant immigrant and native-born Latinas in the United States. We present multivariate risk factor analyses for alcohol and illicit drug use from the California Perinatal Substance Exposure Study using a statistical probability sample (N = 11,002) of Latinas who were tested anonymously using urine toxicology screening techniques. Alcohol use during pregnancy was pervasive among both immigrant and United States-born Latinas (7%) with little variation on risk factors. Illicit drug use was found primarily in a high risk group of United States-born Latinas between 25 and 34 years of age who received no prenatal care (prevalence 50%, odds ratio of 185). Increased general awareness of perinatal alcohol risk by medical providers and public health practitioners serving this population is needed. The potential isolation of United States-born Latinas who are at risk using illicit drugs during pregnancy requires effective communication and outreach.