Suffolk Reporter

A recent study conducted by researchers at Stony Brook University has utilized the PROMOTE Prenatal Screener to identify pregnant women who are at risk for substance use. The study, published in the Journal of Addiction Medicine, aims to address vulnerabilities related to tobacco, cannabis, or alcohol use during pregnancy.

Led by Heidi Preis, MSW, PhD, Assistant Professor of Research in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine at the Renaissance School of Medicine (RSOM), the research highlights the importance of early identification and intervention. "When patients complete the PROMOTE at the start of their prenatal care, their health care providers can identify any psychological, social, or other needs and determine whether a particular patient is likely to use harmful substances during pregnancy," explains Preis. This allows healthcare providers to address these needs early on through counseling or treatment referrals.

The development of PROMOTE was supported by a grant from the National Institutes of Health’s National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). The tool consists of 18 core items that assess various vulnerabilities including education level, financial stability, living conditions, stress levels from partners and family support systems, exposure to violence, and mental health status.

In this study involving 1,842 patients who completed PROMOTE during their initial prenatal visit at a New York State outpatient clinic, findings revealed that 188 patients (10.2%) used at least one substance during pregnancy. This included tobacco (7.2%), cannabis (2.7%), and alcohol (2.4%). Specific demographics were linked with different substances: limited education correlated with tobacco use; single or unpartnered individuals were more likely to use cannabis; those experiencing significant life stressors tended toward alcohol consumption.

Preis emphasizes that using such screening tools can enhance understanding of pregnant patients' life contexts and identify those struggling with substance use. She notes that addressing these issues could significantly improve outcomes for both mothers and their children.

The project involved several co-authors including Marci Lobel, PhD; Cassandra Heiselman, DO; Ayesha Azeem; and David Garry, MD—all affiliated with RSOM's Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine.