PREVALENCE AND PREDICTORS OF HEALTH RISK BEHAVIORS DURING EARLY-PREGNANCY - SASKATOON PREGNANCY AND HEALTH STUDY

Canadian data on prenatal exposure to alcohol, tobacco, psychoactive d rugs, and caffeine are sparse. This study presents prevalence rates in Saskatoon for these four risk behaviours during the first trimester o f pregnancy and their associations with sociodemographic factors. Pers onal interviews were conducted with 605 pregnant women (83%, participa tion rare). The most commonly used substance was caffeine (87%), follo wed by alcohol (46%), tobacco (30%), and psychoactive drugs (7%). Over all, 36% of women reported using two substances, 16% three, and 4% all four substances. In general, risk behaviours were more prevalent amon g women with lower education and income levels. Aboriginal or Metis ba ckground, those not living with a partner, those with previous; births , and, in some cases, younger women. The findings illuminate the needs of particular groups of pregnant women and the importance of understa nding maternal risk behaviour within the structural and cultural reali ties of women's lives.