Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Meta-Analysis
. 2019 Dec;43(12):2464-2479.
doi: 10.1111/acer.14203. Epub 2019 Oct 20.

The Efficacy of Technology-Based Interventions for Alcohol and Illicit Drug Use Among Women of Childbearing Age: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Audrey Hang Hai  1 , Kyndal Hammock  1 , Mary M Velasquez  1
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

The Efficacy of Technology-Based Interventions for Alcohol and Illicit Drug Use Among Women of Childbearing Age: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Audrey Hang Hai et al. Alcohol Clin Exp Res. 2019 Dec.

Abstract

Background: Alcohol and illicit drug use is prevalent among women of childbearing age and may lead to higher risk for substance-exposed pregnancy and related health consequences for both women and their offspring. Technology-based interventions (TBIs) are increasingly used to prevent or reduce substance use among women of childbearing age. The efficacy of these approaches, however, is unclear. This review critically reviewed existing research evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the efficacy of TBIs in preventing and reducing alcohol and illicit drug use among childbearing-aged women.

Methods: Seven electronic databases were searched to identify eligible studies. Two reviewers independently screened studies, extracted data, and assessed risks of bias. Robust variance estimation in meta-regression was used to estimate effect sizes and conduct moderator analyses.

Results: Fifteen RCTs including 3,488 participants were included in the systematic review. Meta-analysis results based on 13 RCTs suggest that TBIs were efficacious relative to control conditions in preventing and reducing substance use among women of childbearing age (d = 0.19, 95% CI = 0.02, 0.35). Preliminary moderator analysis results suggest that the efficacy of TBIs might not vary by participant age, race/ethnicity, the type of technology used, or whether a virtual health assistant was used. TBIs' efficacy in terms of specific substance use types (alcohol use and illicit drug use) or control types (inactive control and active controls) was inconclusive, due to the limited number of studies in each category.

Conclusions: This systematic review and meta-analysis found evidence of TBIs' efficacy in reducing alcohol and illicit drug use among women of childbearing age. Implications for future research and practice are discussed.

Keywords: Meta-Analysis; Reproductive Health; Substance Use; Technology-Based Intervention; Women.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

    1. Agley J, Gassman RA, Vannerson J, Crabb D (2014) Assessing the relationship between medical residents’ perceived barriers to SBIRT implementation and their documentation of SBIRT in clinical practice. Public Health 128:755-758.
    1. Alshaarawy O, Breslau N, Anthony JC (2016) Monthly estimates of alcohol drinking during pregnancy: United States, 2002-2011. J Stud Alcohol Drugs 77:272-276.
    1. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (2008) ACOG Committee Opinion No. 422: at-risk drinking and illicit drug use: ethical issues in obstetric and gynecologic practice. Obstet Gynecol 112:1449-1460.
    1. Ayoola AB (2015) Late recognition of unintended pregnancies. Public Health Nurs 32:462-470.
    1. Barnard M, McKeganey N (2004) The impact of parental problem drug use on children: what is the problem and what can be done to help? Addiction 99:552-559.

MeSH terms