title: Barriers to receiving substance abuse treatment among rural pregnant women in Kentucky.
abstract: Research presenting outcomes for women who enter substance abuse treatment during pregnancy consistently shows benefits. While treatment has nearly universal benefits, there are many barriers to seeking substance abuse treatment for pregnant women. The purpose of this study is to explore barriers for rural pregnant women seeking substance abuse treatment. There were three eligibility criteria for study participation: (1) aged 18 and older, (2) pregnant, and (3) undergoing short-term inpatient detoxification at the University of Kentucky Chandler Medical Center. Eighty-five rural women (N = 85) were included in the analysis. Substance use history and previous treatment were assessed with measures adapted from the Addiction Severity Index. Treatment barriers were measured with three qualitative questions and were coded into four overarching categories: availability, accessibility, affordability, and acceptability barriers. This sample had an extensive substance use history. Almost all participants had used alcohol (98%), marijuana (98%), illicit opiates (99%), and cigarettes (97%). On average, participants reported about two barriers to receiving treatment (Mean = 1.8; SD = 1.3), with over 80% of the sample reporting having experienced any barrier to treatment. The majority experienced acceptability (51%) and accessibility (49%) barriers. Twenty-six percent (26%) of the sample reported availability barriers. A smaller percentage of participants reported affordability barriers (13%). Rural pregnant women seeking substance abuse treatment face many obstacles to receiving needed treatment. More studies on barriers to substance abuse treatment among rural pregnant women are needed. Identifying these barriers can help in improving treatment access and services.
authors.affiliation: Department of Sociology, Social Work, and Criminology, Morehead State University, 318 Radar Hall, Morehead, KY 40351, USA. a.jackson@moreheadstate.edu
authors.forename: Afton
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jackson
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Shannon
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D054625:Healthcare Disparities; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007629:Kentucky; D016015:Logistic Models; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000628:therapy; D037841:Pregnant People / Q000523:psychology*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000628:therapy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult