Stigma Experienced by Rural Pregnant Women with Substance Use Disorder: A Scoping Review and Qualitative Synthesis

Abstract

Identification and recognition of experiences of rural pregnant women with substance use disorder is needed to inform public policy and medical training. This paper reviews and qualitatively synthesizes literature exploring the experiences of this population. Embase, PubMed, and Web of Science were used to identify literature through August 2022 using the search terms, such as pregnancy, substance use or abuse, stigma, and rural. Cited and citing research were also considered. Exclusion criteria included articles that failed to consider rural pregnant women’s perspectives on stigma experienced, included potential confounds, occurred outside of the United States or Canada, and were published before January 2000. Nine articles met the inclusion criteria. Data were synthesized by the listed authors and assessed for common themes. A review of the articles revealed three common themes: stigma occurs in community settings, stigma occurs in healthcare settings, and comprehensive care is important to ensure appropriate support to this population. Stigma as a barrier seems to improve when women have strong social support and access to comprehensive care networks. Addressing this stigma through programs, such as peer social guidance and comprehensive health centers, may provide appropriate support to pregnant, rural women with SUD to further navigate their health needs.

Sex- and Gender-Specific Drug Abuse Dynamics: The Need for Tailored Therapeutic Approaches

“…Hence, childcare services, or lack thereof, can constitute a major hurdle for women when trying to seek care. It is therefore essential in order to guarantee and maintain the patient’s mother–child relationships, since that can greatly and decisively contribute to their recovery prospects [ 114 ].…”

Leveraging Digital Technology to Support Pregnant and Early Parenting Women in Recovery from Addictive Substances: A Scoping Review

“…Pregnant and early parenting women attempting recovery from SUD, especially those living in rural areas, have limited access to resources to promote recovery and parenting in their communities [16,17]. These vulnerable women may find it difficult to engage in drug recovery programs geographically located in urban settings, especially PEPW who have low income, lack personal transportation, or are uninsured [17].…”

“…Pregnant and early parenting women attempting recovery from SUD, especially those living in rural areas, have limited access to resources to promote recovery and parenting in their communities [16,17]. These vulnerable women may find it difficult to engage in drug recovery programs geographically located in urban settings, especially PEPW who have low income, lack personal transportation, or are uninsured [17]. For these reasons, providing digital interventions that support both recovery self-management and parenting offers an attractive and accessible resource to health-related care to facilitate better health outcomes for the entire family [18].…”

Navigating the Maze: Facilitators and Barriers to Substance Use Treatment for Pregnant and Parenting Women in Mississippi

“…Therefore, pregnant women who use substances are at an elevated risk of being screened for substance use, referred to child welfare services, and being stripped of their parental rights. Such outcomes are even more likely to take place among people of color [12][13][14][15]. There have been developmental studies related to the implementation of screening programs for depression and other mental health issues co-occurring with substance use and intimate partner violence or other forms of abuse [16,17].…”