The Relationship between Maternal Substance Abuse and Clinical Indicators during Childbirth: A Cross-Sectional Study

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

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

2 B.Sc. in Midwifery, Student Research Committee, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran.

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

4 M.Sc. Student of Internal Surgical Nursing, 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 health issue that poses potential risks to the physical and mental health of both mothers and newborns. Regarding to the rising prevalence of maternal substance abuse and the crucial role of clinical indicators during childbirth, this study was conducted with aim to examine the relationship between maternal substance abuse and clinical indicators during childbirth.
Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study, information on 276 mothers referring to maternity hospitals of Birjand in 2023 was extracted based on a checklist and questionnaire and were placed into two groups: healthy pregnant mothers and pregnant mothers with substance abuse. The clinical indicators of the newborn at birth were collected using the checklist and mothers’ demographic information through a researcher-made questionnaire. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS software (version 26) and Mann-Whitney U and Chi-square tests. P<0.05 was considered significant.
Results: Of the healthy mothers, 92 (65.7%) had a natural delivery, compared to 73 (53.7%) of mothers with a history of substance abuse. Maternal age (P<0.001) and the heart rate of infants at birth (P=0.010) were higher in the substance abuse group, whereas head circumference (P<0.001), birth weight (P<0.001), and maternal gestational age (P=0.006) were greater in the healthy group. The Apgar scores at first and fifth minutes did not reveal any statistically significant differences between the groups of healthy mothers and those with a history of substance abuse (P>0.05).
Conclusion: Substance abuse in pregnant mothers is linked to higher rates of preterm birth and lower infant head circumference, birth weight, and maternal gestational age. Timely identifying at-risk mothers and providing counseling can help alleviate strain on the healthcare system and prevent negative health outcomes for newborns.

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References

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The Iranian Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Infertility
Volume 28, Issue 1
March 2025
Pages 34-43

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