Addiction severity index composite scores as predictors for sexual-risk behaviors and drug-use behaviors in drug-using pregnant patients.
BACKGROUND
HIV sexual-risk and drug-use behavior predictors have been studied in non-pregnant but not pregnant drug-dependent populations.


OBJECTIVE
Examine the ability of the ASI composite scores to predict HIV sexual- and drug-risk scores as well as the individual items of a modified version of the Risk Assessment Battery in drug-using pregnant women.


METHODS
Pregnant women (N = 76) completing pretreatment ASI and HIV-risk questionnaires.


RESULTS
The Legal composite score was the sole significant predictor of the sexual-risk score, with a 1 SD increase in the Legal composite score resulting in a 24% increase in sexual-risk, p < .001. The Medical, Drug, and Legal composite scores were each significant predictors of the drug-risk score, with a 1 SD increase resulting in a 31% decrease, and 121% and 73% increases, respectively, in drug-risk, all ps < .05.


CONCLUSIONS
Drug-using pregnant women and their fetuses are vulnerable to the consequences of both sexual-risk behaviors and drug-use. The ASI may help screen such patients for HIV sexual-risk and drug-use behaviors as a first step in tailoring treatment to address these issues.
Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
R
R
Chaudhury
H E
HE
Jones
W
W
Wechsberg
K E
KE
O'Grady
M
M
Tuten
M S
MS
Chisolm
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016739:Behavior, Addictive / Q000523:psychology*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000523:psychology*; D037841:Pregnant People / Q000523:psychology; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis*; D047568:Unsafe Sex / Q000523:psychology*