Abstract: Obstetric Providers' Attitudes and Counseling Strategies Regarding Perinatal Marijuana Use (Society for Prevention Research 23rd Annual Meeting)

Schedule:

Thursday, May 28, 2015

Congressional D (Hyatt Regency Washington)

* noted as presenting author

Michelle Nkumsah, BA in process, Student, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA

Cynthia Holland, MPH, Project Coordinator, Magee Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, PA

Jill A. Tarr, MSW, LCSW, Senoir Research Associate, Magee Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, PA

Keri Rodriguez, PhD, Research Health Scientist and Core Investigator, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, PA

Kevin L Kraemer, MD, Professor of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA

Nancy L Day, PhD, Co-Program Director and Professor of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA

Doris Rubio, PhD, Professor of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA

Robert M Arnold, MD, Professor of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA

Judy C Chang, MD, Associate Professor, Magee Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, PA

Background: According to the National Institute of Drug Abuse, marijuana is the most commonly used illicit drug in the U.S. However, limited information exists regarding obstetric provider attitudes about marijuana use during pregnancy.

Objective: Describe obstetric provider attitudes about perinatal marijuana use and their attitudes’ effects on their counseling.

Methods: We conducted 29 individual semi-structured interviews with obstetric care providers to explore: (1) providers’ attitudes about marijuana use during pregnancy, (2) counseling strategies, (3) challenges with counseling; and (4) perceptions of patient attitudes about marijuana. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and coded for thematic content.

Results: Providers felt using marijuana during pregnancy was not as dangerous as using other drugs. Providers thought most patients didn’t view marijuana as a drug and some were ashamed to disclose their use. Given patient’s attitudes or embarrassment about marijuana use, providers felt asking specifically about it, was the most effective way to gain disclosure. All 29 providers felt they couldn’t counsel effectively because they didn’t know the risks of marijuana use in pregnancy, while also identifying a lack of time during appointments as a barrier. Most provider counseling focused on marijuana’s status as an illegal drug and the risk of child protective services being contacted if patients tested positive at time of delivery.

Conclusions: The perceived nonchalant attitude of patients regarding marijuana use paired with many providers not seeing marijuana as a “bad” drug is reflected in their counseling. Providers felt they could not counsel effectively due to their lack of knowledge regarding marijuana’s effect on pregnancy and lack of time for counseling in appointments. Future studies should address ways to improve obstetric providers’ counseling, to assess changes in providers’ attitudes as more states consider the legalization of marijuana and how this information can be disseminated and implemented to improve provider counseling on marijuana use in pregnancy.

Abstract: Obstetric Providers' Attitudes and Counseling Strategies Regarding Perinatal Marijuana Use (Society for Prevention Research 23rd Annual Meeting)

256 Obstetric Providers' Attitudes and Counseling Strategies Regarding Perinatal Marijuana Use