Prenatal tobacco-cannabis co-use: A mixed-methods, convergent parallel study

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Reproductive Health
• Substance Use Research

Background:

• Prenatal tobacco and cannabis co-use is a growing public health concern, especially among vulnerable populations.
• While prenatal tobacco use declines, prenatal cannabis use has doubled, necessitating research into co-use behaviors.
• Limited understanding exists regarding the motivations for co-use and cessation patterns during pregnancy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the reasons behind tobacco and cannabis co-use during pregnancy.
• To identify cessation patterns among pregnant individuals who co-use these substances.
• To understand the distinct perceptions of tobacco versus cannabis use in the context of pregnancy.

Main Methods:

• A descriptive, mixed-methods study utilizing surveys and interviews with pregnant individuals reporting co-use.
• Quantitative analysis included Fisher's Exact Tests and logistic regression.
• Qualitative analysis employed reflexive thematic analysis, with findings integrated via a convergent parallel design.

Main Results:

• Individuals often perceive tobacco and cannabis use as separate behaviors, challenging prior research.
• Key differences were observed in intentions and cessation approaches for cannabis versus tobacco.
• Co-use is significantly interconnected with mental health and stress levels.

Conclusions:

• Future interventions should collaborate with communities to develop effective strategies.
• Empowering pregnant individuals with information is key for informed decision-making regarding co-use.
• Addressing the distinct perceptions of tobacco and cannabis use is vital for targeted cessation support.