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Prenatal Substance Use and Perceptions of Parent and Partner Use Using the 4P's Plus Screener.

2019 Feb

Journal Article

Authors:
Oga, E.A.; Peters, E.N.; Mark, K.; Trocin, K.; Coleman-Cowger, V.H.

Secondary:
Matern Child Health J

Volume:
23

Pagination:
250-257

Issue:
2

PMID:
30523484

DOI:
10.1007/s10995-018-2647-2

Keywords:
Adolescent; Adult; Chi-Square Distribution; Female; Humans; Parents; Perception; Pregnancy; pregnant women; Prenatal Diagnosis; Self Report; Substance-Related Disorders

Abstract:
Background Prenatal substance use screening is recommended. The 4 P's Plus screener includes questions on perceived problematic substance use in parents and partner that are not considered in risk stratification. Objectives This research examined the: (1) prevalence of self-reported problematic parental and partner substance use and associations with biochemically-verified prenatal substance use; (2) utility of self-reported perceptions of parent/partner substance use as proxies for prenatal substance use; and (3) degree to which the sensitivity of the 4P's Plus can be augmented with consideration of parent/partner questions in risk stratification. Methods A convenience sample of 500 pregnant women was recruited between January 2017 and January 2018. Participants completed the 4P's Plus and provided urine for drug testing. Diagnostic utility of problematic parent/partner substance use questions was assessed, then compared to the 4P's Plus used as designed, and to the 4P's Plus used with these 2 questions included in risk stratification. Results Half (51%) of respondents reported either partner or parental problematic substance use. When partner or parent problematic substance use were considered as proxies for prenatal substance use, sensitivity was 65% and specificity was 55%. When used as intended, sensitivity was 94% and specificity was 29%. Including partner/parent questions increased sensitivity to 96% but lowered specificity (19%). Partner substance use and combined partner/parent use were associated with prenatal substance use [adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 2.0 (1.2, 2.4; p = 0.006); aOR = 1.6 (1.1, 2.5, p = 0.04)]. Conclusions for Practice Sensitivity of the 4P's Plus may improve with inclusion of self-reported problematic partner/parent substance use items in risk stratification.

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