title: Pregnant and nonpregnant women in cape town, South Africa: drug use, sexual behavior, and the need for comprehensive services.
abstract: The multiple risks associated with methamphetamine use are of serious concern for women. These risks and consequences are magnified during pregnancy. This secondary analysis of a parent study compared 26 pregnant to 356 nonpregnant women in Cape Town, South Africa, on selected demographic, psychosocial, and HIV-risk domains to identify their treatment service needs. Proportionally, more pregnant than nonpregnant women are using methamphetamine, P = .01, although a very high rate of women used methamphetamine. Women reported similar monthly rates of sexual intercourse, but pregnant women were significantly less likely to report condom use, P < .0001, maintaining their risky behavior. Both groups reported elevated Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale CES-D means, suggesting a need for depression treatment. Results demonstrate a pervasive need for women's comprehensive treatment, regardless of pregnancy status. Moreover, findings support the urgent need for women-focused and pregnancy-specific treatment services for methamphetamine use. Finally, a job-skills training/employment component focus is suggested.
authors.affiliation: Substance Abuse Treatment Evaluations & Interventions Program, RTI International, 3040 Cornwallis Road, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA.
authors.forename: Hendrée E
authors.initials: HE
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: Felicia A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Browne
authors.forename: Bronwyn J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Myers
authors.forename: Tara
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Carney
authors.forename: Rachel Middlesteadt
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Ellerson
authors.forename: Tracy L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Kline
authors.forename: Winona
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Poulton
authors.forename: William A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Zule
authors.forename: Wendee M
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Wechsberg