The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #72664

Martha Jessup, RN, PhD, Institute for Health Policy Studies/UCSF, University of California, 3333California Street, Box 0936, San Francisco, CA 94118-0936, 510-531-4784, mjessup@itsa.ucsf.edu

This qualitative study was conducted to examine extrinsic barriers to substance abuse treatment among pregnant and parenting drug dependent women. Perinatal women (n=36) were interviewed about their treatment-seeking experiences prior to entry into residential drug treatment, and life history analysis was conducted. Barriers identified included fear, partners, program characteristics, pregnancy, and opiate dependence. This presentation focuses on opiate dependence and the pre-admission requirements of drug treatment programs, child welfare agency mandates, and methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) financing policies that contributed to delaying and deterring treatment for the opiate dependent women (n=5). Continuing myths and controversies regarding the use of MMT for perinatal women will be discussed and strategies for collaborative policy and educational initiatives between drug treatment and child welfare agencies will be presented. Although the number of opiate dependent women in this sample was small, the clinical and policy barriers they encountered have wide implications for treatment-seeking opiate dependent women of childbearing age and for the health and human services providers providing for this high-risk population.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to:
• examine how opiate dependence in perinatal women may act as a barrier to treatment;
• discuss collaborative policy and educational initiatives between drug treatment systems and child welfare agencies and
• identify strategies to reduce socially located barriers to treatment for opiate dependent pregnant women in order to facilitate early-in-pregnancy treatment entry and retention.

Keywords: Barriers to Care, Pregnancy

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.