A socioecological framework for engaging substance-using pregnant persons in research: Multi-stakeholder perspectives.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE\nUnderstanding the impact of substance use during pregnancy on fetal development and child health is essential for designing effective approaches for reducing prenatal substance exposures and improving child outcomes. Research on the developmental impacts of prenatal substance exposure has been limited by legal, ethical, and practical challenges. This study examined approaches to engage substance-using (with an emphasis on opioids) pregnant persons in research, from multi-stakeholder perspectives.\n\n\nMETHODS\nThe present study solicited the expertise of 1) an advisory group of community stakeholders, including people with lived experienced of substance/opioid use; and 2) an online survey with content experts. Qualitative analysis examined facilitators and barriers to recruiting and retaining substance-using pregnant persons through a socioecological lens at the individual, interpersonal, organizational, community, and policy levels.\n\n\nRESULTS\nStakeholders (N\u202f=\u202f19) prioritized stigma, loss of confidentiality, legal consequences, and instability (e.g., homelessness and poverty) as important barriers that prevent substance-using persons from enrolling in research studies. Of 70 survey respondents, most self-identified as researchers (n\u202f=\u202f37), followed by clinicians (n\u202f=\u202f19), and others (n\u202f=\u202f14). Survey respondents focused on retention strategies that build trusting relationships with participants, including incentives (e.g., transportation and childcare support), participant-friendly study design, and team-related factors, (e.g., attitudes and practices).\n\n\nCONCLUSION\nThe stakeholder input and survey data offer key insights strengthening our understanding of facilitators and barriers to research participation, and ways to overcome barriers among substance-using pregnant persons. A socioecological framework can be used to identify and address these factors to increase recruitment and long-term retention of high-risk populations.