Healthy People 2000 identifies perinatal substance abuse as a public health problem. The use of illicit substances by women has increased in the last few decades. It has been estimated that 11 to 24% of pregnant women in the United States use one or more illicit drugs during pregnancy. There are dire consequences of this illicit drug abuse during pregnancy that affect the women and their children physically, emotionally, and socially. In addition to these negative outcomes, the monetary costs to society are exorbitant. Yet there are insurmountable barriers to treatment for substance-abusing women which are rooted in the fact that substance abuse treatment has not been designed with the needs of this subpopulation of pregnant women in mind. As a result, pregnant substance-abusing women can be counted among the many under-served populations in the United States.
In an attempt to eliminate this health disparity for pregnant substance-abusing women, a dual-theory health promotion approach was used to develop appropriate treatment interventions for these special women. The Theory of Planned Behavior and the Transtheoretical Model of Change were combined to address the complex needs of these women. Using the determinants of action, the Theory of Planned Behavior can help identify the predictor variables specific to a given stage while the Transtheoretical Model of Change can help situate the women in their various stages of behavior change. Using this innovative technique, health-care providers are encouraged to view pregnant substance-abusing women as individuals who are at different stages of change.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, the participant (learner)will be able to: 1. List 3 reasons that make perinatal substance abuse a public health problem. 2. Identify 3 barriers to treatment for pregnant substance-abusing women. 3. Discuss the need for a dual-theory health promotion model for treatment of perinatal substance abuse. 4. Discuss the utilization of the Theory of Planned Behavior and the Transtheoretical Model of Change for the treatment of perinatal substance abuse
Keywords: Drug Abuse Treatment, Pregnancy
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: N/A
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.