Field Observations from Houston County Home Visit Pilot Program: Maternal Marijuana Use
Abstract
Background:
The Houston County Health Department is one of three county health departments in Georgia chosen to implement a pilot program aimed promoting maternal and child health via postpartum home visits with families wherein the mother screened positive for marijuana at the time of childbirth. Initial observations from the local public health practitioners who conducted home visits for this program identified a trend in reason for use by the new mothers was to aid in symptoms of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. A review of current literature around nausea and vomiting during pregnancy was conducted to aid the public health staff in navigating this new program.
Methods:
A review of published peer-reviewed quantitative research studies and qualitative findings stemming from qualitative research studies was completed. Studies published regarding the standard of care for pregnant women with symptoms of nausea and vomiting, perceptions and motivations of pregnant women, and the effects of marijuana during pregnancy between 2016-2023 were included in the literature review.
Results:
A total of 61 articles were identified, 9 on standard of care for pregnant women with symptoms of nausea and vomiting, 28 on perceptions and motivations of pregnant women, and 24 on the effects of Marijuana during pregnancy. Multiple studies have shown that pregnant women desire more detailed and specific information about the risks of marijuana use to their child, as well as one-on-one, mutually respectful, and non-judgmental interaction with medical professionals. Some participants of these studies reported that information from their doctors was vague in nature or never given at all.
Conclusion:
The information identified in this systematic review identifies an important potential intervention on the part of public health. Public health staff can serve as trusted health professionals to communicate risk of marijuana use during pregnancy with specific details, credible information, and images where appropriate.
Keywords
MATERNAL MARIJUANA USE, HOME VISITATION, MATERNAL HEALTH, CHILD HEALTH, PLAN OF SAFE CARE
Field Observations from Houston County Home Visit Pilot Program: Maternal Marijuana Use
Background:
The Houston County Health Department is one of three county health departments in Georgia chosen to implement a pilot program aimed promoting maternal and child health via postpartum home visits with families wherein the mother screened positive for marijuana at the time of childbirth. Initial observations from the local public health practitioners who conducted home visits for this program identified a trend in reason for use by the new mothers was to aid in symptoms of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. A review of current literature around nausea and vomiting during pregnancy was conducted to aid the public health staff in navigating this new program.
Methods:
A review of published peer-reviewed quantitative research studies and qualitative findings stemming from qualitative research studies was completed. Studies published regarding the standard of care for pregnant women with symptoms of nausea and vomiting, perceptions and motivations of pregnant women, and the effects of marijuana during pregnancy between 2016-2023 were included in the literature review.
Results:
A total of 61 articles were identified, 9 on standard of care for pregnant women with symptoms of nausea and vomiting, 28 on perceptions and motivations of pregnant women, and 24 on the effects of Marijuana during pregnancy. Multiple studies have shown that pregnant women desire more detailed and specific information about the risks of marijuana use to their child, as well as one-on-one, mutually respectful, and non-judgmental interaction with medical professionals. Some participants of these studies reported that information from their doctors was vague in nature or never given at all.
Conclusion:
The information identified in this systematic review identifies an important potential intervention on the part of public health. Public health staff can serve as trusted health professionals to communicate risk of marijuana use during pregnancy with specific details, credible information, and images where appropriate.
