Tobacco, Cannabis And Alcohol Habits Among Pregnant Women Reported From Antenatal Clinics, Australia

Main Category: Pregnancy / Obstetrics
Also Included In: Smoking / Quit Smoking;  Alcohol / Addiction / Illegal Drugs
Article Date: 07 Jun 2008 - 0:00 PDT

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Tobacco, alcohol and cannabis are substances with the highest prevalence in pregnancy and can increase the likelihood of pregnancy complications as well as harm to the fetus.

The study collected data from 748 pregnant women from two South Australian hospitals and finds that the use of alcohol and cannabis by pregnant women were below expectations.

However, tobacco prevalence remains concordant with other data sources.

The overall reduction in substance use reflects the success of ongoing state government campaigns in South Australia.

Health-care providers have the responsibility to reinforce and advocate decisions to eliminate the use of substances during pregnancy.

"Pregnancy-related changes in tobacco, alcohol and cannabis use reported by antenatal patients at two public hospitals in South Australia"
Elizabeth Hotham, Robert ALI, Jason White, Jeffrey Robinson
The Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology 48 (3) 248-254 doi:10.1111/j.1479-828X.2008.00827.x
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The Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology

The Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (ANZJOG) is an editorially independent publication owned by the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) and the RANZCOG Research foundation. ANZJOG aims to provide a medium for the publication of original contributions to clinical practice and/or research in all fields of obstetrics and gynaecology and related disciplines. Articles are peer reviewed by clinicians or researchers expert in the field of the submitted work.

The Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology