Interest in Co-located Reproductive and Sexual Health Services Among Women and Men Receiving Medication for Opioid Use Disorder in an Outpatient Treatment Clinic

Abstract

IntroductionReproductive and sexual health (RSH) are core components of comprehensive care, yet often omitted in addiction treatment. We characterize knowledge of and interest in RSH services and contraceptive method awareness and use in a rural, Appalachian outpatient clinic.Materials and MethodsBetween September 2016 and April 2018, a convenience sample of 225 patients receiving treatment for opioid use disorder at an outpatient buprenorphine/naloxone clinic was collected. Participants completed a cross-sectional RSH survey that included demographics, interest in RSH service integration, contraceptive use, and contraceptive knowledge.ResultsA total of 212 people (126 non-pregnant women, 29 pregnant women, and 57 men) completed the survey of whom 45.8% indicated interest in adding RSH services. Services of interest include regular physical exams (44.8%), STI/STD testing (41.0%), and contraception education and administration (38.2%). There were no significant differences between interest in co-located services between women and men (P = 0.327). Current contraceptive use was low (17.9–30.9%) among women and men. Contraceptive method awareness was 43.3% for high efficacy methods and 50.0% for medium efficacy methods. Women and currently pregnant women knew more total, high, and medium efficacy contraceptive method than men (P = 0.029).DiscussionBoth women and men in this sample are interested in co-located RSH services. Current contraceptive use was low among participants. Contraceptive knowledge was lower among men compared to women, and generally low. Providing co-located RSH services may facilitate RSH education, contraceptive method uptake, and promote engagement across various RSH domains.

The Lived Experiences of Pregnant and Parenting Women in Recovery Toward Medication Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder

“…25 Half of the women in our study enjoyed close proximity to prenatal care and addiction services and a link to healthcare systems through co-location, as reported in limited studies. 66,67 Notably, most women did not reveal the usual access barriers to healthcare systems typical among vulnerable populations such as housing, childcare, and transportation needs. 31 We documented current satisfaction with healthcare services, easily accessible providers, access to MOUD, and progress on MOUD, underscoring the importance of integrating services and facilities to enhance care.…”

“Here it was waiting for me:” Diabetes Diagnosis Pathways and Implications for Health Policy

“…West Virginians have been disadvantaged by changes in natural resource-extractive technologies and the decreasing employment opportunities associated with those industry changes (Latimer & Oberholser, 2005). These changes have had repercussions across the life span, ranging from impacts on the availability of medical services, general health status, and the influx of prescription opioids, which have devasted many rural and West Virginian families and communities (Patrick et al, 2021;Stoltman et al, 2022;Warfield et al, 2019). Thus, it is important to examine health policies affecting older adults, midlife adults who are aging into late life with chronic health conditions, and younger adults who may be struggling with the direct and indirect effects of substance abuse and other diseases of despair (Case & Deaton, 2016).…”

“…Legislators must focus on the changing demographics, but also on the changing health status of residents. For example, family and health demands on workers are also changing as a function of complications from opioid treatment and reproductive health within the state (e.g., Patrick et al, 2021;Stoltman et al, 2022). Such state-wide issues must be considered as part of the context in which allocation of funds are made.…”

Role of Medical Insurance in Reducing Place‐based Health Disparities: Functional Disability in Rural Appalachia

“…Legislators must focus on the changing demographics, but also on the changing health status of residents. For example, family and health demands on workers are also changing as a function of complications from opioid treatment and reproductive health within the state (e.g., Patrick et al, 2021; Stoltman et al, 2022). Such state‐wide issues must be considered as part of the context in which allocation of funds are made.…”

“…West Virginians have been disadvantaged by changes in natural resource‐extractive technologies and the decreasing employment opportunities associated with those industry changes (Latimer & Oberholser, 2005). These changes have had repercussions across the life span, ranging from impacts on the availability of medical services, general health status, and the influx of prescription opioids, which have devasted many rural and West Virginian families and communities (Patrick et al, 2021; Stoltman et al, 2022; Warfield et al, 2019). Thus, it is important to examine health policies affecting older adults, midlife adults who are aging into late life with chronic health conditions, and younger adults who may be struggling with the direct and indirect effects of substance abuse and other diseases of despair (Case & Deaton, 2016).…”