The Impact of Psychoactive Substance Use and Adolescent Mothers on Early Childhood Development in Mexico: An Observational Study

Abstract

Background

Teen pregnancy and psychoactive substance use represent some of the factors that can have a negative impact on children's development.

Objetives

To explore the effect of the prevalence of drug, alcohol and tobacco use in the different federative entities in Mexico and children with adolescent mothers on the early childhood development (ECD).

Methods

Observational study. ECD was evaluated with the Early Childhood Development Index (ECDI) using the 2015 National Survey of Boys, Girls and Women. The prevalence of psychoactive substance use was estimated using the 2016 National Survey of Drug, Alcohol and Tobacco use. Association of ECD with different characteristics of the environment where the children resided was explored using a multilevel logistic regression model.

Results

The average age for an adolescent mother was 18 years and for an adult mother it was 28 years. The population is characterized by a higher percentage of children who attend early education, have support for learning, have three or more books and receive adequate care. The children with adolescent mothers (aOR = 1.54, 95% CI: 1.03–2.31) the prevalence of ilegal drug use use (aOR = 1.16, 95% CI: 1.02–1.32) and number of homicides (aOR = 1.18, 95% CI: 1.03–1.36) were factors associated with inadequate ECD. Finally, population density was negatively associated with inadequate ECD (aOR = 0.91, 95% CI: 0.88–0.95).

Conclusion

In Mexico, children with adolescent mothers and children with inadequate ECD prevail in populations in a situation of vulnerability. These findings can be useful to design public policies that consider the individual and social context of children and their mothers.