ABUSE HISTORY AND HEALTH RISK BEHAVIORS IN PREGNANCY

Study objective. To study the relation between a history of physical a buse and consumption of cigarettes and alcohol during. pregnancy. Meth od's. In a case-control study, 83 women who delivered a low birthweigh t (<2500 g) infant (cases) and 92 women with a newborn with birthweigh t greater than or equal to 2500 g (controls) were interviewed about a history of sexual abuse, physical abuse by a partner, and about health behaviors during pregnancy.Results. In all, 46 (26%) had a history of abuse. Birth of a low birthweight infant was not associated with a hi story of abuse. At time of first prenatal visit 35% of the women were daily smokers, 50% of the abused and 29% of the nonabused were smokers . An abuse history was associated with daily smoking when controlled f or educational level (OR 2.29, 95% CI 1.08-4.85). Ninety (51%) of the women reported consumption of alcohol during pregnancy. Abuse was asso ciated with alcohol consumption in pregnancy when controlled for educa tional level (OR 2.57, 95% CI 1.22-5.39). Conclusions. Alcohol and tob acco use during pregnancy were associated with a history of abuse. Hea lth care professionals should consider this potential correlation when use of tobacco and alcohol in pregnancy is brought up.