Comparison of characteristics of opioid-using pregnant women in rural and urban settings

Abstract

Historically, research on opioid use during pregnancy has occurred in urban settings and it is unclear how urban and rural populations compare. We examined socio-demographic and other variables in opioid-using pregnant women seeking treatment and screened for participation in a multi-site randomized controlled trial. Women screened in rural Burlington, Vermont (n = 54), were compared to those screened in urban Baltimore, Maryland (n = 305). Rural opioid-using pregnant women appear to have some characteristics associated with better treatment outcomes (e.g., less severe drug use, greater employment). However, they may face additional barriers in accessing treatment (e.g., greater distance from treatment clinic).