Changes in perinatal cocaine use in an inner-city hospital, 1988 to 1992

Abstract

Temporal trends in perinatal drug use among parturients at an inner-city hospital were assessed in a cohort study of 1300 parturients in 1991 through 1992 and 1111 parturients in 1988 through 1989. Toxicology results were coupled to data sheets containing demographic and obstetrical information. A decrease was noted between 1988 and 1992 in the prevalence of cocaine metabolites, independent of the utilization of prenatal services. An increase in marijuana use and no change in opiate use were seen. When adjusted for ethnicity and receipt of care, a 50% decline in the odds ratio (OR) of cocaine use was noted between 1988 and 1992 (OR = 0.55; 95% confidence interval = 0.39, 0.79).