Recommendations for Reporting Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drug Screening Tool Use With Pregnant Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples

Abstract

Alcohol, tobacco and other drug screening tools are essential components of health promotion strategies to help identify individuals at risk of harmful substance use and guide them towards timely and appropriate interventions. These tools play a particularly important role in antenatal care, where routine screening for pregnant women supports healthier pregnancies and promotes long-term wellbeing for mother and child. However, it is unclear whether there are culturally responsive, validated tools for use with pregnant Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. A search of recent literature identified tools commonly used with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations but found limitations in how the use of these tools was reported. We outline key considerations for improving the implementation and reporting of alcohol, tobacco and other drug screening tools in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations. We discuss how prioritising cultural responsiveness, validation and acceptability in screening practices can enhance healthcare equity and improve outcomes for pregnant Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples affected by alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use.