Work

Prenatal Substance Use Among Young Pregnant Sexual Minority People

Year: 2023

Type: article

Abstract: Purpose:Sexual minority (SM) youth have higher rates of substance use and pregnancy but are absent from the prenatal substance use literature. We modeled the impact of SM identity and syndemic factors on prenatal substance use among 14- to 21-year-olds. Methods:Pregnant people completed an online survey (n = 357). Prenatal substance use was regressed on SM identity, controlling for other syndemic factors (e.g., depressive symptoms, intimate partner violence) and household substance use. Results:Pregnant SM participants (n = 125) were primarily bisexual and were more likely to use tobacco and illicit drugs than heterosexual participants (n = 232). The association between SM identity and prenatal tobacco use was not attenuated by syndemic factors, prenatal cannabis use, or household tobacco use. Conclusion:SM people need increased support for smoking cessation to redress health inequities in tobacco use, prevent prenatal exposures to tobacco, and limit the long-term consequences of tobacco use on health.

Source: LGBT Health

DOI: 10.1089/lgbt.2023.0026

Authors: Natacha M. De Genna, Robert W.S. Coulter, Lidush Goldschmidt, Nicole Boss, Fahmida Hossain, Gale A. Richardson

Institutions: University of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center

Language: English

Topic: LGBTQ Health, Identity, and Policy

Subfield: Social Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Reduced inequalities

Open Access status: green

Funder: National Institute on Drug Abuse