“Women Never Use Drugs Alone” Assessing Stigma & Access to Care among Women who use Drugs.

Abstract

Increased rates of opioid misuse among pregnant women has become a significant public health issue in Indiana. Nation-wide the rate of opioid use among pregnant women has quadrupled since 2005, and Indiana is following the same trend. As this issue grows it becomes increasingly important to understand the unique needs of this vulnerable population. Mothers who use illicit drugs during pregnancy often have fewer prenatal care visits than non-using mothers. The issue of prenatal care access is intensified among women of color who systematically experience greater health disparities and inequities. Without access to adequate prenatal care both mothers and their children risk various health consequences. In Indiana, a state that is ranked among the 10 worst states for infant and maternal mortality, addressing stigma and factors that contribute to prenatal care barriers is critical. This qualitative study sought to assess the current role of stigma and identify other barriers to health and healthcare services among women of childbearing age in Indiana who use or have used illicit drugs and identify ways to improve their experiences with and access to these services.