Talk:Drug Fetal Risk Categories

Prevalence of illicit drug use in young Australian women, patterns of use and associated risk factors. Turner C, Russell A, Brown W. Addiction. 2003 Oct;98(10):1419-26. PMID: 14519179

OBJECTIVES: To estimate the prevalence of illicit drug use in young Australian women, determine their patterns of drug use and identify associated risk factors.

METHODS: Data were collected in 2000 as part of the second survey of the youngest cohort in the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health (n = 9512).

RESULTS: Among women aged 22-27 years, 58% reported having used an illicit drug at some time with most (57%) having used cannabis. Amphetamines (16%), ecstasy/designer drugs (15%) and LSD (14%) were the next three most commonly used drugs. Four different patterns of drug use were identified: past users of cannabis only (39%); current users of cannabis only (17%); past multiple drug users (13%) and current multiple drug users (31%). Living in a de-facto relationship or never being married, living with non-family members, a history of physical abuse, sexual intercourse, smoking and binge drinking were associated significantly with exclusive use of cannabis and with use of multiple drugs compared to never using illicit drugs. Living with a partner, experience of sexual or emotional abuse, pregnancy, diagnosis of depression and taking sleeping medication were associated significantly with being a multiple drug user, but not for exclusive cannabis use. Multiple drug users had, on average, used cannabis 2-3 years before using any other drug.

CONCLUSIONS: Given the strong association found between smoking, heavy drinking and drug use of varied patterns, public health initiatives targeted at preventing young women from smoking and drinking should additionally target illicit drug use.

Drug use patterns in young German women and association with mental disorders. Hach I, Rentsch A, Ruhl UE, Becker ES, Türke V, Margraf J, Kirch W. Ann Pharmacother. 2004 Sep;38(9):1529-34. Epub 2004 Jun 29. PMID: 15226485

http://www.theannals.com/cgi/content/abstract/38/9/1529

METHODS: A total of 2064 women (18–24 y old), obtained in a random clustered sample, were asked about their actual and former medication use. Moreover, a structured psychological interview (Diagnostic Interview for Mental Disorders) was conducted with each woman to evaluate the prevalence of mental disorders (according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition).

RESULTS: Oral contraceptives (55.9%), thyroid preparations (7.1%), respiratory system drugs (9.4%), and nervous system drugs (8%) were the most commonly used medications. Only 10% of the women with one or more mental disorders used psychotropic medication. As expected, women with mental disorders were significantly more likely to use antidepressants and psycholeptic agents (ie, sedatives/hypnotics, antipsychotics) than were women without any mental disorder. However, there were no significant differences in use of pain medication.

[The drinking patterns in men and women and their social, psychological and somatic conditions. A study of patients admitted over a one-year period to a special psychiatric department for young alcohol and drug addicts] Sønderbo K, Vendsborg PB. Ugeskr Laeger. 1987 Feb 2;149(6):393-6. Danish. No abstract available. PMID: 3824626