Comparison of characteristics of opioid-using pregnant women in rural and urban settings

Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse. 2008;34(4):463-71. doi: 10.1080/00952990802122358.

Abstract

Historically, research on opioid use during pregnancy has occurred in urban settings and it is unclear how urban and rural populations compare. We examined socio-demographic and other variables in opioid-using pregnant women seeking treatment and screened for participation in a multi-site randomized controlled trial. Women screened in rural Burlington, Vermont (n = 54), were compared to those screened in urban Baltimore, Maryland (n = 305). Rural opioid-using pregnant women appear to have some characteristics associated with better treatment outcomes (e.g., less severe drug use, greater employment). However, they may face additional barriers in accessing treatment (e.g., greater distance from treatment clinic).

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Buprenorphine / therapeutic use*
  • Demography
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Mass Screening
  • Methadone / therapeutic use*
  • Narcotic Antagonists / therapeutic use*
  • Opioid-Related Disorders* / diagnosis
  • Opioid-Related Disorders* / epidemiology
  • Opioid-Related Disorders* / rehabilitation
  • Patient Acceptance of Health Care / statistics & numerical data*
  • Patient Selection
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications / epidemiology
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Rural Population / statistics & numerical data*
  • Urban Population / statistics & numerical data*

Substances

  • Narcotic Antagonists
  • Buprenorphine
  • Methadone