Abstract
The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of unintended pregnancy and its three subtypes (mistimed, unwanted, and ambivalent) among opioid-abusing women. In the general population, 31%-47% of pregnancies are unintended; data on unintended pregnancy in opioid- and other drug-abusing women are lacking. Pregnant opioid-abusing women (N = 946) screened for possible enrollment in a multisite randomized controlled trial comparing opioid maintenance medications completed a standardized interview assessing sociodemographic characteristics, current and past drug use, and pregnancy intention. Almost 9 of every 10 pregnancies were unintended (86%), with comparable percentages mistimed (34%), unwanted (27%), and ambivalent (26%). Irrespective of pregnancy intention, more than 90% of the total sample had a history of drug abuse treatment, averaging more than three treatment episodes. Interventions are sorely needed to address the extremely high rate of unintended pregnancy among opioid-abusing women. Drug treatment programs are likely to be an important setting for such interventions.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 199-202 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment |
Volume | 40 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Mar 2011 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Drug abuse
- Family planning
- Intention
- Opioid
- Pregnancy
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Phychiatric Mental Health
- Medicine (miscellaneous)
- Clinical Psychology
- Psychiatry and Mental health