Lingerfelt C, Hutson S, Thomas S, Morgan KH. An Interpretive Description of Drug Withdrawal Among Pregnant Women in Jail.
Nurs Womens Health 2024;
28:187-198. [PMID:
38522481 DOI:
10.1016/j.nwh.2023.12.002]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Revised: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To explore the experience of drug withdrawal among pregnant women in jail.
DESIGN
A qualitative interpretive descriptive approach.
SETTING/PROBLEM
The care of incarcerated pregnant women constitutes a complex and significant public health problem. Many have substance use disorder (SUD) and cycle in and out of jails in their community, resulting in repeated experiences of drug withdrawal. Most jails do not provide medication-assisted therapy for management of withdrawal, a situation that violates standards of care set by leading health organizations. The experience of drug withdrawal among pregnant women in jail has not been qualitatively explored in the literature.
PARTICIPANTS
Five women completed interviews for the study.
INTERVENTION
In-depth, qualitative interviews.
RESULTS
Five themes with subthemes emerged from the interviews: Framing the Story Through Life History: I Need You to Know Where I Come From, Patterns of Thinking About Substance Use, The Manifestations of Withdrawal: Body and Mind, Perceived Punishment for Drug Use During Pregnancy, and Mixed Perceptions of Withdrawal Treatment.
CONCLUSION
Participants told a story beyond that of the physical withdrawal symptoms, revealing new insights into their maternal distress and the need for compassionate, nonstigmatized care to address physical and mental symptoms, as well as advocacy for the provision of an evidence-based standard of care. Nurses who care for pregnant women with SUD in the jail setting could benefit from collaborative relationships with other health care professionals in the community to reduce disparate health outcomes for this vulnerable population.
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