S Shah1, R Hoffman, R Shinault, S LaPoint. 1. Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Denver, CO 80246, USA. seema.shah@state.co.us
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of pregnancy and contraceptive use among female inpatients at a Denver detoxification center who were at risk of becoming pregnant. METHODS: The authors administered surveys and pregnancy tests to 373 female admissions to the Denver CARES detoxification center between March and September 1996. RESULTS: Most were admitted for alcohol-related reasons, and most reported previous pregnancies. Seven percent of admissions had positive pregnancy tests, and 56% of admissions reported not using contraceptives with every sexual encounter. CONCLUSIONS: Routine assessment of pregnancy status and contraceptive use in women admitted for detoxification, along with on-site family planning services, may be important components of efforts to prevent adverse outcomes associated with substance abuse during pregnancy, including fetal alcohol syndrome.
OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of pregnancy and contraceptive use among female inpatients at a Denver detoxification center who were at risk of becoming pregnant. METHODS: The authors administered surveys and pregnancy tests to 373 female admissions to the Denver CARES detoxification center between March and September 1996. RESULTS: Most were admitted for alcohol-related reasons, and most reported previous pregnancies. Seven percent of admissions had positive pregnancy tests, and 56% of admissions reported not using contraceptives with every sexual encounter. CONCLUSIONS: Routine assessment of pregnancy status and contraceptive use in women admitted for detoxification, along with on-site family planning services, may be important components of efforts to prevent adverse outcomes associated with substance abuse during pregnancy, including fetal alcohol syndrome.
Authors: L A Miller; T Shaikh; C Stanton; A Montgomery; R Rickard; S Keefer; R Hoffman Journal: Public Health Rep Date: 1995 Nov-Dec Impact factor: 2.792