Análisis del consumo de drogas de abuso en mujeres que interrumpen voluntariamente su embarazo

Resum

ABSTRACT Substance abuse in today's society is a problem with serious social, economic and health implications that increases each year and affects all social classes and age groups. Drug use in women of childbearing age and pregnant women is of particular concern as it is an especially sensitive group. The relationship between sexual health and alcohol and other substances of abuse has been studied from different perspectives and using different methodologies. An increase in risky sexual behavior, unwanted pregnancies and abortions in consumers have been found, but always pointing out the limitations of these studies and the complexity of such associations. The main objective of this paper was to analyze the prevalence of substances of abuse consumption in pregnant women who requested an abortion and to study the relationship with various demographic and gynecological variables. And also, to analyze the validity of structured questionnaires versus hair analysis (biomarkers) for detection of exposure or consumption in this population. Material & Methods: Between September 2007 and March 2010, 237 hair samples from pregnant women who voluntarily terminated their pregnancy in the 12th week of gestation in an accredited clinic in Murcia were collected. The presence of tobacco, opiates, cocaine, cannabis, MDMA and amphetamines in hair was analyzed using techniques of gas-mass chromatography and a questionnaire about the use of these substances was completed. Results: The mean profile of the sample corresponded to a woman between 17 and 32 years old, single, with stable partner, basic level studies, mostly of foreign nationality, who already had at least one child at the time of the intervention and with a history in 43.5% of at least one previous abortion. These women did not usually go to family planning centers nor use contraceptives to prevent unwanted pregnancies. According to the results in hair, a 35% of the study population used an illegal drug in the three months prior to the intervention, 135 samples were positive to tobacco, 61 to cannabis, 36 to cocaine, 9 to opiates and 2 to MDMA. Consumption of legal and illegal substances was higher in the sample than in the female population of similar age or in other studies in pregnant women who carried pregnancies to term. Women consumers of illegal drugs compared to non-users were Spanish in a higher proportion, it was not her first abortion and consumed more tobacco and alcohol. In the group of women who consumed cocaine, opiates or MDMA and that of polyconsumers, these associations were more pronounced. The group of women who consumed only cannabis in relation to the group of no consumers used contraceptives to a lesser extent and was proportionally younger and single. Interview was not valid for the detection of the use of these substances during pregnancy, being hair analysis more useful to detect this consumption. There should be established preventive measures in this population at risk in order to reduce the high rate of repeated abortions and to include specific advice on the use of substances of abuse in the group of women seeking an IVE.