A Pooled Sample Study of Opioid Use Disorder Treatment Wait Time Among a Pregnant Population in New York

Background and Aim: Opioid use disorder (OUD) during pregnancy has become a major public health issue, with its prevalence rising significantly in recent years. The incidence of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) has also surged, from 1.5 cases per 1000 hospital births in 1999 to 6.0 cases per 1000 in 2013. This study aims to identify and analyze the concerns faced by pregnant people in accessing OUD treatment on time, specifically focusing on New York. Methods: The pooled sample of 225,275 individuals represents pregnant patients with OUD who received treatment at substance use disorder (SUD) facilities across New York State between 2016 and 2020, using data from the TEDS-D database. This dataset includes all pregnant individuals diagnosed with OUD, with consistent criteria for treatment eligibility applied. Results: The adjusted odds ratio (AOR) for medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for OUD was 1.41 (95% CI 1.15, 1.72; p = 0.0008) for full-time employees and 1.11 (95% CI 0.91, 1.34; p = 0.32) for part-time employees, compared to unemployed individuals. Regarding marital status, the AOR for treatment access was 1.51 (95% CI 1.34, 1.70; p < 0.0001) for currently married individuals and 1.85 (95% CI 1.67, 2.06; p < 0.0001) for those who are divorced or widowed, compared to individuals who have never married. Discussion: Our study highlights key sociodemographic barriers that affect early access to care for pregnant individuals in New York. OUD continues to be a critical public health issue, particularly among pregnant people, who are exposed to heightened health risks for both themselves and their babies, due to societal perceived stigma related to use during pregnancy.