Substance use in pregnancy among two groups of urban women in Papua New Guinea.

Although use of common psychoactive drugs during pregnancy may have deleterious effects on the fetus, little is known about patterns of use of these substances among Third World women of childbearing age. Interview data are presented from two different groups of young women resident in the national capital of Papua New Guinea in 1980-1981 regarding use of alcoholic beverages, cigarettes, caffeinated beverages and betel, and their opinions on the appropriateness of such practices during pregnancy. Approval of use during pregnancy reflected reported consumption: caffeine was most acceptable, cigarettes were least. Patterns of cigarette use reported here may threaten pregnancy outcome.