Perceptions of licit and illicit substance use among women of reproductive age

Examining racial and ethnic differences

Datos Bibliográficos

ID21605103
AutoresKassandra Maturino (0009-0002-7418-9865, University of Missouri), Wan-Lin Chang (0000-0002-6163-378X, Department of Liberal Arts, University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis), Jhanelle Warlock (University of Central Florida), Brooke Jubran (University of Central Florida), Yen‐Chang Chang (0000-0002-9574-3194, National Tsing Hua University, autor de correspondencia), Yen-Han Lee (0000-0003-4869-1982, University of Central Florida, autor de correspondencia)
Año2025
Páginas1-11
Fecha de publicación2025-11-03
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessNo
TipoARTICLE
RevistaDrugs Education Prevention and Policy (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 0968-7637 • E-ISSN: 1465-3370
EditorialInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/09687637.2025.2581691
OpenAlexW4415807215
IdiomaEN
Referencias citadas50

Background For women of reproductive age, understanding perceptions of substance use risks is essential for making informed health decisions. This study examined the racial and ethnic differences in perceptions of substance use risks among women of reproductive age in the US.Methods We analyzed data from the 2021–2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), a large and nationally representative dataset (unweighted n = 34,674; weighted N = 112,254,504). Principal component analysis (PCA) was conducted to identify patterns in perceptions of licit and illicit substance use risks. Ordinal logistic regression models were used to examine racial and ethnic differences in risk perceptions.Results Among all substances examined, marijuana use was perceived as the least risky. Compared to White participants, Black, Hispanic, and Asian participants reported higher perceived risks for licit substance use, with adjusted odds ratios of 1.19, 1.68, and 1.90, respectively (all p 0.05).Conclusions Higher perceived risks among racial and ethnic minority groups may indicate greater awareness of substance use risks but could also reflect potential structural or historical inequities in healthcare access in the US

Ethnic group · Illicit drug · Injury prevention · Perception · Poison control · Substance use · Suicide prevention · Human Factors and Ergonomics · Pregnancy and Medication Impact · Prenatal Substance Exposure Effects · Reproductive Health and Contraception