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. 1998 Sep;43(9):799-805.

Drug dependence during pregnancy. Effect of an on-site support group

D Svikis  1 , M McCaul, T Feng, M Stuart, M Fox, E Stokes
Affiliations
  • PMID: 9777620

Drug dependence during pregnancy. Effect of an on-site support group

D Svikis et al. J Reprod Med. 1998 Sep.

Abstract

Objective: To examine the clinical and economic efficacy of an on-site support group for drug-abusing pregnant women enrolled in an urban, hospital-based obstetric clinic.

Study design: Maternal and neonatal outcomes and medical cost data were compared for drug-abusing pregnant women who attended (n = 54) and did not attend (n = 67) a weekly substance abuse support group in the obstetric clinic.

Results: Clinical and economic outcomes were more favorable for support group attenders than nonattenders. Specifically, infants of support group attenders had higher birth weights and better 1-minute Apgar scores. In addition, average short-term medical care costs were nearly $1,000 (maternal) and > $1,500 (infant/neonatal) lower for support group attenders as compared to nonattenders.

Conclusion: Support group attendance was associated with short-term clinical and economic benefits that are likely to translate into longer-term cost savings. The findings suggest that a weekly substance abuse support group can provide low-cost, well-accepted and effective therapeutic services for this high-risk population of women.

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