Associations Between Waiting Time and Treatment Completion Among Treatment-Naive Pregnant Cannabis Users Admitted to Treatment Facilities in the United States
Author(s)
Kevin Bixler, BS, PharmD Candidate 20261, Rebecca Polanco, BS, PharmD Candidate 20261, Sean Hyungwoo Kim, BA, MS, PharmD2.
1Shenandoah University, Winchester, VA, USA, 2Shenandoah University/George Mason Univesity, Winchester, VA, USA.
1Shenandoah University, Winchester, VA, USA, 2Shenandoah University/George Mason Univesity, Winchester, VA, USA.
OBJECTIVES: Cannabis use during pregnancy has been associated with adverse perinatal outcomes, including low birth weight and developmental delays. Despite these risks, many pregnant women entering treatment for cannabis use face barriers that may interfere with successful completion. The purpose of this study was to examine associations between waiting time and sociodemographic factors that may influence treatment completion among pregnant women admitted to a treatment facility with cannabis as their primary substance of use.
METHODS: Data was used from the 2015-2022 Treatment Episode Data Set (TEDS), which included 2,719 treatment-naive pregnant women (18-49 years old) admitted for substance use treatment in the United States (US) who identified cannabis as their primary substance. Descriptive statistics and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine associations between sociodemographic, treatment characteristics, and waiting time on treatment completion.
RESULTS: Between 2015-2022, only 38.8% of pregnant women who identified cannabis as their primary substance of use completed treatment. Women who were admitted on the same day had significantly higher odds of completing treatment (AOR=1.41, 95% CI: 1.15-1.74) compared to those who waited at least 1 day or more. Women with less than a high school education level, experiencing homelessness, or African American had increased odds of completing treatment (AOR=1.52, 95% CI: 1.23-1.90). In contrast, women aged 40-49, with dependent living arrangements at discharge, and residing in the northeast US region were less likely to complete treatment.
CONCLUSIONS: This study provides evidence that shorter waiting times are associated with improved treatment completion among pregnant cannabis users. Additionally, sociodemographic factors such as education level, housing status, and race also significantly influence treatment outcomes. These findings highlight the importance of reducing treatment delays and implementing targeted interventions to address disparities in access and retention within this vulnerable population.
METHODS: Data was used from the 2015-2022 Treatment Episode Data Set (TEDS), which included 2,719 treatment-naive pregnant women (18-49 years old) admitted for substance use treatment in the United States (US) who identified cannabis as their primary substance. Descriptive statistics and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine associations between sociodemographic, treatment characteristics, and waiting time on treatment completion.
RESULTS: Between 2015-2022, only 38.8% of pregnant women who identified cannabis as their primary substance of use completed treatment. Women who were admitted on the same day had significantly higher odds of completing treatment (AOR=1.41, 95% CI: 1.15-1.74) compared to those who waited at least 1 day or more. Women with less than a high school education level, experiencing homelessness, or African American had increased odds of completing treatment (AOR=1.52, 95% CI: 1.23-1.90). In contrast, women aged 40-49, with dependent living arrangements at discharge, and residing in the northeast US region were less likely to complete treatment.
CONCLUSIONS: This study provides evidence that shorter waiting times are associated with improved treatment completion among pregnant cannabis users. Additionally, sociodemographic factors such as education level, housing status, and race also significantly influence treatment outcomes. These findings highlight the importance of reducing treatment delays and implementing targeted interventions to address disparities in access and retention within this vulnerable population.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2025-11, ISPOR Europe 2025, Glasgow, Scotland
Value in Health, Volume 28, Issue S2
Code
EPH24
Topic
Epidemiology & Public Health
Topic Subcategory
Public Health
Disease
Mental Health (including addition), Reproductive & Sexual Health