TOBACCO USE FOR IDENTIFYING PREGNANT-WOMEN AT RISK OF SUBSTANCE-ABUSE

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effectiveness of current smoking status as a rapid screening tool to identify pregnant women at risk of heavy alco hol and/or illicit drug use. STUDY DESIGN: Women (N=92) seeking prenat al care were interviewed to assess lifetime and recent tobacco, alcoho l and illicit drug use. Rates of recent heavy alcohol and illicit drug use were compared in current smokers and nonsmokers.RESULTS: All subj ects reporting recent heavy alcohol and/or illicit drug use were curre nt smokers; none were nonsmokers. CONCLUSION: Obstetric screening of p regnant women for current smoking status seems to be a cost-effective method of identifying those at risk of antepartum heavy alcohol and/or illicit drug use.