Smoking among pregnant women with Medicaid insurance: are mental health factors related?

Smoking during pregnancy is the single most modifiable risk factor for poor birth outcomes, yet it remains prevalent among low-income women. This study examined factors associated with continued smoking and quitting among pregnant women. A total of 2,203 Medicaid-eligible pregnant women were screened at their first enhanced prenatal services visit for risk factors including demographics, health behaviors (smoking, alcohol and drug use), mental health (history of mental health disorders, current depressive symptoms), and stress.

Who participates in state sponsored Medicaid enhanced prenatal services?

Medicaid insures an estimated 43% of all births in Michigan and provides additional funding for enhanced prenatal services (EPS). The objectives of this study are to report on the (1) use of statewide administrative data to examine risk characteristics and EPS enrollment of Medicaid-insured pregnant women in Michigan; and (2) presence and extent of a broad range of risk factors in a sample of EPS participants in Michigan, using a newly developed two-tier, risk screener and assessment tool. This study uses Vital Records, Medicaid and other data to describe EPS participation by maternal risks in the statewide population of Medicaid-insured pregnant women (54,582 in the fiscal year 2005).