College - Author 1

College of Science and Mathematics

Department - Author 1

Statistics Department

Degree Name - Author 1

BS in Statistics

Date

5-2014

Primary Advisor

Rebecca Ottesen

Abstract/Summary

Prenatal substance abuse is a growing issue in America. It can lead to fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, long term growth, behavior, and executive functioning problems, and creates a predisposition for drug use for the child.

This project summarizes the statistical analyses comparing alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use by pregnant women between San Luis Obispo County and Ventura County. The main goal of these analyses is to determine if there is a difference between San Luis Obispo County and Ventura County. This is an interesting comparison because these counties are neighboring counties, and past data have shown that the rate of alcohol abuse during pregnancy is higher in San Luis Obispo than Ventura. The analyses done are based on the 4P’s+© screen collected from both counties between the years of 2008 and 2012.

Based on these analyses, there was not a significant difference between San Luis Obispo County and Ventura County in alcohol use in the month before screening, but there was a significant difference in cigarette use dependent on race, in marijuana use, and in drug use dependent on year. This indicates that San Luis Obispo County’s focus on alcohol has closed the gap between the two counties for alcohol use. Though there has been progress in reduction of alcohol use, use of other substances is prevalent. In light of this, it is advisable that there be a refocusing onto substance abuse in general.

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