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Interconnections between unintended pregnancy, alcohol and other drug use, and pregnancy, birth, infant, childhood, and socio-economic outcomes: a scoping review
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  • Kelly McNamara A,
  • Bridin Murnion,
  • Penelope Fotheringham,
  • Mishka Terplan,
  • Nicholas Lintzeris,
  • Ju Lee Oei,
  • Diana Bond,
  • Natasha Nassar,
  • Kirsten Black
Kelly McNamara A
The University of Sydney Faculty of Medicine and Health

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Bridin Murnion
The University of Sydney Faculty of Medicine and Health
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Penelope Fotheringham
The University of Newcastle School of Medicine and Public Health
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Mishka Terplan
Friends Research Institute Inc
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Nicholas Lintzeris
The University of Sydney Faculty of Medicine and Health
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Ju Lee Oei
University of New South Wales Medicine & Health
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Diana Bond
The University of Sydney Faculty of Medicine and Health
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Natasha Nassar
The University of Sydney Children's Hospital Westmead Clinical School
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Kirsten Black
The University of Sydney Faculty of Medicine and Health
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Abstract

Abstract Background Unintended pregnancy (UIP) and substance use disorder (SUD) share underlying root causes with similar potential impacts for women and their offspring in pregnancy, birth and beyond. Furthermore, use of alcohol and other drugs (AOD) increases the risk of UIP. Objectives To assess the available evidence on impact of UIP on health, social and economic outcomes, in women who use AOD. Search Strategy The review was conducted using the Joanna Briggs Institute Methodology for Scoping Reviews and PRISMA reporting guidelines. The search was conducted across multiple electronic databases, including Scopus and Medline, and limited to studies published between January 2000 to June 2023. Selection Criteria Studies reporting on interactions between AOD use and UIP, and subsequent pregnancy, birth, infant, childhood, social or economic outcomes. All patterns and types of AOD use, except isolated use of tobacco, were included. Studies were available in English and conducted in high income countries. Data Collection and Analysis Selected articles were reviewed, and data collected by 2 independent reviewers using a standardised data extraction sheet. Findings were summarised and reported descriptively. Main Results A total of 2383 titles and abstracts were screened, 97 full texts were reviewed, and three studies were selected for inclusion in the scoping review. There was heterogeneity in types and patterns of AOD use, differences in study design and tools to assess pregnancy intention, and each focused on disparate outcomes. No study assessed or reported on birth outcomes. Conclusion There is a paucity of data examining the intersection between AOD use and UIP and further research is needed. Funding The University of Sydney Albert S. McKern Scholarship; Australian National Health and Medical research Council fellowship (APP1197940) and Financial Markets Foundation for Children.