Partner's Substance Problems Linked to 89% Higher Odds of Cannabis Use During Pregnancy
Pregnant people whose partners had problematic substance use history were 89% more likely to use cannabis during early pregnancy.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Among 82,180 pregnant individuals, partner substance problems were associated with 89% higher odds of prenatal cannabis (aOR=1.89), 238% higher odds of e-cigarettes (aOR=3.38), and 266% higher odds of tobacco (aOR=3.66).
Key Numbers
82,180 pregnant people. Cannabis: aOR=1.89 (1.57-2.27). E-cigarettes: aOR=3.38 (2.43-4.58). Tobacco: aOR=3.66 (2.63-4.96). Alcohol: aOR=1.58 (1.33-1.87).
How They Did This
Retrospective cohort of 82,180 pregnant people screened at first prenatal visit in Kaiser Permanente Northern California (2021-2022). Self-report plus urine toxicology for cannabis.
Why This Research Matters
Partner substance use is a modifiable risk factor for prenatal exposure. Screening partners could identify at-risk pregnancies.
The Bigger Picture
Prenatal prevention usually focuses on the pregnant person alone. This highlights the partner's role.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Self-reported partner use (likely underreported). Kaiser population. Cannot determine if partner use causes prenatal use.
Questions This Raises
- ?Would screening partners improve prenatal outcomes?
- ?Are there effective couple-based interventions?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- 89% higher odds of prenatal cannabis use with partner substance problems
- Evidence Grade:
- Very large cohort with biological confirmation of cannabis. Self-reported partner data.
- Study Age:
- 2025 study
- Original Title:
- Partner History of Problematic Substance Use and Self-Reported Substance Use During Early Pregnancy: Findings from Kaiser Permanente Northern California, 2021-2022.
- Published In:
- Maternal and child health journal, 29(11), 1505-1511 (2025)
- Authors:
- Gallegos, Rachel, Slama, Natalie E(7), Duggan, Mark C, Ansley, Deborah, Castellanos, Carley, Young-Wolff, Kelly C
- Database ID:
- RTHC-06495
Evidence Hierarchy
Looks back at existing records to find patterns.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
How was cannabis use confirmed?
Both self-report and urine toxicology were used.
Why does partner substance use matter?
Partners influence substance use through availability, norms, and shared environment.
Read More on RethinkTHC
Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-06495APA
Gallegos, Rachel; Slama, Natalie E; Duggan, Mark C; Ansley, Deborah; Castellanos, Carley; Young-Wolff, Kelly C. (2025). Partner History of Problematic Substance Use and Self-Reported Substance Use During Early Pregnancy: Findings from Kaiser Permanente Northern California, 2021-2022.. Maternal and child health journal, 29(11), 1505-1511. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-025-04164-w
MLA
Gallegos, Rachel, et al. "Partner History of Problematic Substance Use and Self-Reported Substance Use During Early Pregnancy: Findings from Kaiser Permanente Northern California, 2021-2022.." Maternal and child health journal, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-025-04164-w
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Partner History of Problematic Substance Use and Self-Report..." RTHC-06495. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/gallegos-2025-partner-history-of-problematic
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.