Exploration of Differences between Women Who Do and Do Not Disclose Their Marijuana Use during Pregnancy

Abstract

Objective: Explore demographic and health-related factors that may differentiate women who do and do not disclose their marijuana use during pregnancy. Study Design: The current study is a secondary analysis of data from a prospective cohort of pregnant women identified as using marijuana during pregnancy via a variety of assessment tools including self-report, urine screen, and obstetrics record abstraction. The cohort included a convenience sample of women recruited from several antenatal clinics at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center (OSUWMC). To be eligible, women needed to be within the 1st or 2nd trimester of their pregnancy, 16-50 years of age, able to communicate in English, and intended to deliver at OSUWMC. Chi-square, independent samples t-tests, and logistic regression analyses were used to explore differences between those who did and did not disclose their use in relation to physical and mental health diagnoses, adverse experiences, use of other substances, and demographics. Results: Women who used marijuana during their pregnancy and had mental/physical health data available comprised the current sample (n=109). Women who attended college were more likely to disclose their marijuana use compared to women who did not attend college (p<.001). Women who experienced homelessness (p<.01) or self-reported alcohol use during pregnancy (p<.001) were significantly more likely to disclose their marijuana use. Conclusions: Findings suggest disclosure of other substance use and adverse experiences, such as homelessness, may increase the likelihood pregnant women will voluntarily disclose their marijuana use to providers. Findings did not reflect racial differences nor significant differences in physical health status among women based on their disclosure. Future research with larger datasets is needed to build on findings by confirming results as well as exploring additional factors that may more effectively differentiate women who are unlikely to disclose their prenatal marijuana use from those who do disclose use.

Screening of substance use in pregnancy: A Danish cross‐sectional study

“…39 Similarly, a recent study found that pregnant women who reported alcohol use were more likely to also report cannabis use. 40 A recent study from the United Kingdom also found limitations in point-of-care urine drug testing and concluded that confirmation analyses may be necessary in an antenatal care setting. 16 As opposed to dipstick analyses, LC-MS/MS analyses do not include risks of cross-reactivity (eg, prescribed medications), they have lower detection cut-offs, and they can distinguish between different substances within the same class, which all together increases the likelihood of identifying pregnant women with substance use and decreases the risk of falsely accusing pregnant women of substance use.…”

“…A recent scoping review of 12 studies concluded that self‐reporting was more accurate among women with current or prior history of substance use 39 . Similarly, a recent study found that pregnant women who reported alcohol use were more likely to also report cannabis use 40 …”

“… 39 Similarly, a recent study found that pregnant women who reported alcohol use were more likely to also report cannabis use. 40 …”