HARCP Archives

Browse by article

Browse by volume

Heroin Addiction and Related Clinical Problems: 2024, 26, 46

Perinatal Injectable Opioid Agonist Therapy (iOAT) Treatment Experience: A Qualitative Study

Charissa Patricelli, Ruth Liu, Shanlea Gordon, Nicole Carter, Karly Stewart, Isabelle Gouin, Vanessa Paquette, Jeff Bone, and Karen Urbanoski

Digital Object Identifier:
https://doi.org/10.62401/2531-4122-2024-46

Summary: Objectives: Injectable opioid agonist therapy (iOAT) is the highest intensity treatment available in Canada for individuals with severe injection Opioid Use Disorders (OUD). In the perinatal population, the safety and effectiveness of iOAT has been explored in a small number of case studies/reports, yet there has not been any research that has explored first-hand accounts of treatment experience. The current study employs qualitative methods to examine treatment experience and satisfaction among individuals who received iOAT during the perinatal period. Methods: Participants who received iOAT at the Families in Recovery in-patient unit in Vancouver, Canada between 2021 and 2022 were invited. Participants enrolled prospectively were invited to partake in up to 4 study visits, and those enrolled retrospectively (n=4) had 1 study visit. All visits consisted of in-depth, semi-structured qualitative interviews, a participant survey regarding demographics and wellness, and medical chart review. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed, and coded using a modified reflexive thematic analysis approach to identify overarching themes and subthemes. Results: Participants received iOAT while pregnant (n=2), post-partum (n=6), or both (n=2). Four primary themes essential to perinatal iOAT treatment experience emerged from the interviews: 1) impact on physical and mental wellbeing, 2) importance of relationships, 3) stigma, and 4) a patient-centered approach to iOAT administration. Conclusions: This is the first-known qualitative study that examined treatment experience among individuals who received iOAT during the perinatal period. Results show that physical and mental wellness, relationships and relationship-building, stigma, and personalized administration are central to treatment experience.

Keywords: Substance use; perinatal; pregnancy; post-partum; opioids; addictions; women’s health; qualitative methods; treatment experience; treatment satisfaction; injectable opioid agonist therapy (iOAT)