Racial/ethnic differences in medication for addiction treatment for opioid use disorders among pregnant women in treatment facilities supported by state funds

Medication for addiction treatment (MAT) for opioid use disorder (OUD) in pregnant women is known to improve neonatal health outcomes. Despite the benefits of this evidence-based treatment for OUD, MAT has been underutilized during pregnancy among certain racial/ethnic groups of women in the United States. The purpose of this study was to examine racial/ethnic differences and factors that affect MAT administration among pregnant women with OUD seeking treatment at publicly funded facilities.

We used data from the 2010-2019 Treatment Episode Data Set system. The analytic sample included 15,777 pregnant women with OUD. We built logistic regression models to examine associations between race/ethnicity and MAT and determine differences and similarities in factors that may influence the use of MAT across racial/ethnic groups of pregnant women with OUD.

Although in this sample only 31.6 % received MAT, an increasing trend of MAT receipt has been observed during 2010-2019. Approximately 44 % of the Hispanic pregnant women received MAT, and this was significantly higher than non-Hispanic Black (27.1 %) and White (31.3 %) women. Even after adjusting for potential confounders, the adjusted odds of receiving MAT during pregnancy were lower for Black (AOR = 0.57, 95 % CI 0.44, 0.75) and White (AOR = 0.75, 95 % CI 0.61, 0.91) women compared to Hispanic women. Not being in the labor force increased the odds of receiving MAT in Hispanic women relative to their employed counterparts while homelessness or dependent living decreased the odds of MAT for White women compared to those living independently. Regardless of their racial/ethnic background, pregnant women younger than 29 years old were less likely to receive MAT relative to older women; however, if they were arrested once prior to admission to treatment, they had significantly higher odds of receiving MAT than those with no arrests. Treatment of at least 7 months was associated with a higher likelihood of MAT across all racial/ethnic groups.

This study highlights the underutilization of MAT, particularly among pregnant Black and White women who seek treatment for OUD in publicly funded treatment facilities. A multi-dimensional approach to MAT intervention programs is needed to increase MAT for all pregnant women and reduce racial/ethnic inequities.