The relationship between maternal substance abuse and clinical indicators during childbirth: A case-control study in southeastern Iran.

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran

2 Student Research Committee, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran

3 Instructor of Epidemiology, School of Health, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran

4 Student Research Committee, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran.

10.22038/ijogi.2025.83638.6244

Abstract

Introduction

Substance abuse during pregnancy has become a significant public health issue, posing a potential risk to the physical and mental health of mothers and newborns. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between maternal substance abuse and clinical indicators during childbirth.

Methods

In this case-control study, data from 276 pregnant mothers visiting affiliated maternity hospitals of Birjand University of Medical Sciences in the year 1402 were extracted from the IMAN system (the childbirth statistics registration system) using a checklist and questionnaire. These subjects were divided into two groups: healthy mothers (control group) and mothers with substance abuse (case group). Random sampling was employed in both groups. Collected data were entered into SPSS version 26 and analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test and Chi-square test at a significance level of 0.05.

Results

The number of participants in the control group was 140, while the case group consisted of 136 individuals. Among the subjects, 165 (59.8%) had vaginal deliveries, and the majority of the mothers had primary education (67.4%). Maternal substance abuse showed a statistically significant relationship with preterm birth (p < 0.001), neonatal jaundice (p = 0.030), birth weight (p < 0.001), head circumference at birth (p < 0.001), neonatal heart rate (p = 0.010), and maternal gestational age (p = 0.006).

Conclusion

Timely identification of mothers at risk of substance abuse and providing them with counseling can reduce the healthcare costs imposed on the health system and the adverse health consequences threatening the newborn infant.

Keywords

Main Subjects

The Iranian Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Infertility

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 23 April 2025

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