Knowledge and attitudes about perinatal marijuana use among U.S. postpartum mothers: A BORN network study.

Abstract

Objective: Perinatal marijuana use is common and may be perceived as safer than use of other substances. We evaluated the association between healthcare provider counseling and maternal marijuana knowledge.

Methods: This multi-state, cross-sectional study was conducted June 2021 to August 2022 at 15 U.S. hospitals in the Better Outcomes through Research for Newborns (BORN) network. A 48-item investigator-developed survey was administered to a convenience sample of postpartum mothers ≥ 21 years giving birth to a newborn ≥ 34 weeks' gestational age and receiving routine mother-baby care. The survey assessed sociodemographics, marijuana use, attitudes and knowledge, and receipt of pre- or post-natal healthcare provider counseling about perinatal marijuana use. Descriptive statistics were tabulated, and key comparisons were tested using Chi-square analysis and multivariable logistic regression.

Results: Of 484 postpartum mothers, 59.9% endorsed any lifetime marijuana use, while 9.3% reported use during the current pregnancy. Almost 40% reported that in their experience, marijuana use among mothers who are breastfeeding is common or somewhat common. One-third of participants reported receiving any healthcare provider counseling about marijuana either prenatally or postpartum. Adjusting for covariates, counseling was associated with greater maternal knowledge about risks of perinatal marijuana use to exposed children, including child learning problems (adjusted odds ratio 1.93 [95% confidence interval: 1.13, 3.29]).

Conclusions: A strengthened and standardized approach to healthcare provider counseling may help to address maternal knowledge gaps about the risks of perinatal marijuana use on exposed newborns and children.