Substance use and child health outcomes

What is it about?

This study investigates the association between women experiencing homelessness, a history of substance use and reported child health outcomes in one southeastern city. Exposure to substance or tobacco use during pregnancy was significantly higher among mothers who were single, less educated, unemployed, or widowed. Children of substance-using mothers in the sample had more than 1.5 fold increased prevalence of functional problems than children experiencing homelessness alone.

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Why is it important?

Although it is well recognized that substance abuse during pregnancy is detrimental to maternal and fetal health, limited research to date has addressed the relationship between substance use and birth outcomes among women experiencing homelessness. We found prenatal substance abuse compounded by other aspects of homelessness results in greater health problems for children than reported previously. Focus on preventing prenatal exposure among women experiencing homelessness may be warranted.