Angeliemar Figueroa-Vázquez, B.S.
Carolina L. Reyes-Pagán, B.S
Angélica Fuentes-Armesto, MD
Henry X. Nieves-Díaz, MD
Michelle A. Cabán-Ruiz, PhD

Universidad Central del Caribe, Bayamón, Puerto Rico

Introduction

Substance Use Disorders (SUDs) are a significant public health concern that affect both physical and mental well-being, with an increasing prevalence among women. Some barriers women face when deciding to start treatment include stigma, lack of treatment options that tailor to their unique needs, economic disadvantages, and lack of support. Counseling interventions work through these barriers with specific strategies. This study explored the patterns of substance use among breastfeeding mothers in Puerto Rico, a population whose data is limited.

Methods

The study used a quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional design, with a preliminary sample of 354 randomly selected Puerto Rican breastfeeding mothers. Data collection was carried out over a three-month period using a structured self-administered questionnaire through the SurveyMonkey platform. Consisting of 29 questions, the questionnaire assessed sociodemographic information, breastfeeding practices, substance use (alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, and other substances) along with the education received from health professionals.

Results

The study revealed that 76% of the participants reported having used at least one substance prior to pregnancy, with 50% continuing substance use during pregnancy. Of the sample, 69% (n=241) indicated having used substances while breastfeeding. Specifically, 96% of these mothers used caffeine, 51% used alcohol, 66% used painkillers, 15% used cannabis, 6% used psychotropic drugs, 2.5% used nicotine, and 0.5% used opioids. In addition, 72% of participants reported receiving some type of education about substance use during breastfeeding from health professionals.

Conclusion

When it comes to treating SUD in women, it is important to provide counseling services that guarantee gender responsive care to improve treatment outcomes and cater to experiences like breastfeeding. These preliminary findings underscore the need for further research and interventions that address substance use during the breastfeeding period in Puerto Rico, with the goal of improving maternal and infant health outcomes and designing specific psychoeducational strategies for this population.

IRB Approval

2024-41 Universidad Central del Caribe