Screening for pregnancy and contraceptive use among women admitted to a Denver detoxification center.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence of pregnancy and contraceptive use among female inpatients at a Denver detoxification center who were at risk of becoming pregnant.


METHODS
The authors administered surveys and pregnancy tests to 373 female admissions to the Denver CARES detoxification center between March and September 1996.


RESULTS
Most were admitted for alcohol-related reasons, and most reported previous pregnancies. Seven percent of admissions had positive pregnancy tests, and 56% of admissions reported not using contraceptives with every sexual encounter.


CONCLUSIONS
Routine assessment of pregnancy status and contraceptive use in women admitted for detoxification, along with on-site family planning services, may be important components of efforts to prevent adverse outcomes associated with substance abuse during pregnancy, including fetal alcohol syndrome.
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Denver, CO 80246, USA. seema.shah@state.co.us
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Shah
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Hoffman
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Shinault
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LaPoint
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003120:Colorado; D003268:Contraception Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003625:Data Collection; D000431:Ethanol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016320:Substance Abuse Treatment Centers
D000431:Ethanol