Addiction Severity Index Composite Scores as Predictors for Sexual-Risk Behaviors and Drug-Use Behaviors in Drug-Using Pregnant Patients

Abstract

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 and Scientific Significance: 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.

Keywords :

• Drug addiction
• HIV
• pregnancy
• sexual behavior
• substance abuse

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This study was supported by NIDA R01 DA14979. The authors thank the patients for their participation and the Center for Addiction and Pregnancy staff (clinical and research) for their assistance with this study.