There is also evidence that nicotine dependence in females, relative to males, is controlled less by nicotine and more by psychosocial factors. Preliminary data indicate that the progression and initiation to drug use and abuse, the consequences, as well as prevention and treatment strategies may vary considerably between men and women. The following areas are examples of what has been learned and what researchers are seeking to learn through NIDA research involving women and drug addiction. An estimated 221,000 women who gave birth in the United States in 1992 used an illicit drug while they were pregnant. Although these data may underestimate the true extent of HIV infection associated with injection or non-injection drug use, they nonetheless document the importance of drug use in generating new HIV infection.
Infection continues to increase in adolescent females and young women.
Current research is addressing critical drug abuse issues in the clinical, immunologic, virologic, and behavioral aspects of HIV infection and disease in adult and adolescent females. A series of studies is currently addressing gender roles and gender differences relating to drug-using behaviors, and sexual behaviors associated with drug use. Integrated long-term studies of biological and behavioral factors are examining the influence of drug use on the progression of HIV and the effectiveness of medical treatment. Research is also investigating the impact of drug use on maternal-infant HIV transmission, the course of disease in women and their infants, and treatment with HIV medications to reduce transmission. Of concern to NIDA and the nation is the use of drugs by women during pregnancy.