Date of Award

Spring 2025

Document Type

Capstone

Degree Name

Master of Public Health (MPH)

Department

Public Health

First Advisor

Dr. Kate Ahrens

Abstract

Cannabis is the most used recreational drug in the United States. Cannabis use in pregnant women can lead to poor brain development and low birthweight in infants. This study aimed to analyze and identify trends in CUD in Maine from 2016 to 2023. Using data provided by the Maine Health Data Organization (MHDO), an analysis was conducted using Statistical Analysis Software (SAS) and Joinpoint Regression Software. Comparisons were made between women delivering in Maine with CUD and those without CUD. Characteristics such as maternal age, insurance payer, rurality of residence, and co-occurring mental health conditions were included in the data analysis. The study consisted of 87,339 delivery hospitalizations recorded from 2016 to 2023; 3,728 (4.3%) of women had CUD and 83,611 (95.7%) did not have CUD. Prevalence of CUD was highest among young women (12-19 year olds at 11.8% and 20-24 year olds at 8.2%), Native American women (9.0%), those living in rural areas (urban areas at 3.0% vs. large rural areas at 4.7%, small rural areas at 5.4%, and isolated rural areas at 5.5%), and those with co-occurring mental health disorders (ranged from 6.7% for those with anxiety to 15.8% for those with bipolar disorder). In 2016, the overall percentage of CUD in pregnant women was 3.5% vs. 4.1% in 2023. There was an annual increase in the prevalence of maternal CUD of 0.40% from 2016 to 2020 (p=0.04), followed by an annual decrease of 0.44% from 2020 to 2023 (p=0.10). The results from this study indicate that maternal CUD prevalence is highest in among youth, rural residents, Native Americans, and those with co-occurring mental health disorders. More education, counseling, interventions, and strategies specifically centered around these populations may be needed to reduce maternal CUD rates in Maine.

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