Community‐wide estimation of illicit drug use in delivering women: Prevalence, demographics, and associated risk factors

Abstract

Urine samples positive for illicit drugs were significantly more common in women delivering in an urban center serving the indigent population than in those delivering in private hospitals. Based on associated factors, cocaine users fit a more indentifiable profile than marijuana users. The overall incidence of positive urine toxicology was no different in black and white pregnant women, but the more frequent finding of cocaine metabolites in black women may lead to biased over-reporting of substance abuse in this population.