Substance Use of Homeless Pregnant Mothers

Substance use during pregnancy contributes significantly to complications for both the mother and the developing child. Women who smoke cigarettes, use illicit drugs, or drink alcoholic beverages are at greater risk for the development of premature labor, spontaneous abortions, miscarriages, and stillbirths. Drug-exposed infants are more likely to develop low birth-weight, impaired neurological development, congenital anomalies, and symptoms of withdrawal. These effects maybe worse in poor and underprivileged populations if the mother also has inadequate prenatal care, poor nutritional status, chronic illnesses, or additional coexisting complications of pregnancy. Research concerning the substance use of pregnant women is beginning to accumulate. However, no published studies investigate the health behaviors of homeless pregnant women relative to drugs. Data obtained from 29 homeless pregnant women indicated that 38 percent of these women drank alcohol, 69 percent smoked cigarettes, seven percent smoked marijuana, and 10 percent used other illegal substances. These findings suggest a need to develop and implement programs of care targeted at this population.