Perspectives on research and health of individuals with lived experience of opioid use in pregnancy

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Date
2023-12-07
Authors
Hart, Danielle
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Abstract

Opioid use in Canada has been on the rise over the past two decades, and many individuals who use opioids are of child-bearing age. Although significant research exists on the effects of opioid use in pregnancy for both the pregnant individual and the child, few studies to date have engaged individuals with lived experience of opioid use in pregnancy to determine research priorities that are important to this population. From November 2022 to August 2023, twelve interviews were conducted with individuals who have used opioid in pregnancy. Participants were given space to share their story and questioned on research priorities that were meaningful to them. Data were coded and analyzed with Dedoose, using a hermeneutic phenomonelogical framework. Relative to personal experience and research guidance shared by birth parents, five themes were identified: 1) addiction and mental health; 2) impact of Child and Family Services; 3) lack of knowledge within the healthcare system; 4) stigmatizing interactions with the health care system; and 5) recommendations for future research. Individuals articulated the need for positive, trusting, and non-judgemental relationships between researchers, health care practitioners, and patients with opioid-affected pregnancies. Participants expressed the need for detailed information on best practices in opioid use and pregnancy, resources available to parents, and short and long-term effects of opioid use in pregnancy. Majority of participants expressed a desire for further clinical and social research on opioid-affected pregnancies. Future research and health care interactions with individuals with opioid-affected pregnancies must be founded in principles of non-judgemental care, harm reduction, relationship-building and reducing stigma.

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perinatal health, opioid addiction, perinatal addictions
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