Maternal lifestyle and pregnancy outcome in Jamaica: the effects of cigarette and marijuana smoking, alcohol use and sexual activity

ABSTRACT

Cigarette smoking, marijuana and alcohol use, and coital activity have been investigated for effect on foetal birth weight and gestation chiefly in developed countries. Apart from the relationship between cigarette smoking and heavy alcohol intake and growth retardation, the evidence for poor birth outcome is controversial. Little is known of the effect of these lifestyle factors in developing countries where poor pregnancy outcome is common. Using data from a population based perinatal study in Jamaica, the effect of lifestyle factors was ivestigated in 8486 babies. Data collected by midwives at birth included the date of the last menstrual period, socio-demographic characteristics and frequency of tobacco, marijuana and alcohol use during pregnancy, as well as coital frequency at quickening and at delivery. Babies were weighed and measured. Live birth outcomes investigated were low birth weight, preterm birth and growth retardation, with population rates of 10.1 percent, 8.7 percent and 9.7 percent, respectively. Data were processed using SPSS and BMDP statistical packages. The prevalence of cigarette, marijuana and alcohol use was 7.0 percent, 2.1 percent and 16.4 percent respectively. 74 percent and 27 percent of women were having sexual intercourse at quickening and in the week prior to delivery, respectively. Apart from coital frequency at quickening, life style factors were strongly associated with each other. All life style factors were associated with social class. On univate analysis, significant associations were found between cigarette smoking and low birth weight (p,0.04) and growth retardation ,0.05). Association between marijuana use and low birth weight and between alcohol use and lower incidence of preterm birth failed to reach significance (p=0.05, p=0.16). When stratified by frequency of use, there was a significant trend in both cases (p<0.05, p<0.04). After controlling for socio-demographic characteristics and other life style factors, associations were maintained between cigarette smoking and low birth weight. Foetal effects of maternal cigarette smoking are present even in al low prevalence country. The effect of marijuana use is less conclusive, but the data suggest that this activity may be detrimental to the foetus. (Au)