Abstract
Objective
A rapid review was conducted in order to produce a streamlined and time-limited systematic evidence review to understand women’s perceptions, beliefs, and knowledge of the risks associated with cannabis use during pregnancy.
Methods
MEDLINE(R) and Epub Ahead of Print, In-Process & Other Non-Indexed Citations and Daily, EMBASE, PsycINFO (OVID interface), and CINAHL (Ebsco interface) databases were searched from inception to March 2019. Qualitative and descriptive studies, and reviews that addressed pregnant women’s perceptions, beliefs, and attitudes about personal cannabis use were included. The methodological quality of the included studies was appraised using valid tools and data extraction was guided by suitable checklists. Full text of 18 citations was retrieved and reviewed, and 5 studies met the inclusion criteria.
Synthesis
Women who continued to use cannabis during pregnancy often perceived less risk compared with nonusers. Their uncertainty regarding adverse consequences, perceived therapeutic effects, and lack of communication with health care providers contributed to cannabis use. Women perceived this lack of counselling as an indication that outcomes of cannabis use while pregnant were not significant.
Conclusion
This synthesis highlights important factors in women’s decision-making processes regarding use or cessation of cannabis during pregnancy. In addition, the importance of health care providers providing information, education, and appropriate counselling to childbearing women is highlighted as these conversations may influence women’s perceptions of risk and help them make informed choices.
Résumé
Objectif
Une revue rapide a servi à produire un examen systématique des données probantes, abrégé et limité dans le temps, afin de comprendre les perceptions, les convictions et les connaissances des femmes sur les risques associés à la consommation de cannabis durant la grossesse.
Méthode
Les bases de données MEDLINE® Epub Ahead of Print, In-Process & Other Non-Indexed Citations, MEDLINE® Daily, Embase et PsycInfo (interface OVID) et la base de données CINAHL (interface Ebsco) ont été interrogées depuis le démarrage du projet jusqu’en mars 2019. Ont été incluses les études qualitatives et descriptives et les revues de la littérature portant sur les perceptions, les convictions et les attitudes des femmes enceintes au sujet de la consommation personnelle de cannabis. La qualité méthodologique des études incluses a été évaluée à l’aide d’outils validés, et l’extraction des données a été guidée par des listes de vérification pertinentes. Sur les 18 études citées dont le texte intégral a été récupéré et examiné, 5 études respectaient les critères d’inclusion.
Synthèse
Les femmes ayant continué à consommer du cannabis durant la grossesse percevaient souvent un moindre risque que celles qui n’en avaient pas consommé. L’incertitude des femmes quant aux conséquences négatives, les effets thérapeutiques perçus et le déficit de communication avec le personnel soignant ont contribué à la consommation de cannabis. Les femmes ont interprété ce déficit de counseling comme une indication des effets négligeables de la consommation de cannabis durant la grossesse.
Conclusion
Notre synthèse fait ressortir les facteurs importants dans le processus décisionnel des femmes sur la consommation ou l’arrêt de consommation du cannabis durant la grossesse. Elle souligne aussi l’importance que le personnel soignant informe, sensibilise et conseille correctement les femmes enceintes, car de telles conversations peuvent influencer la perception du risque chez ces femmes et les aider à faire des choix éclairés.
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Weisbeck, S., Bright, K.S., Ginn, C.S. et al. Perceptions about cannabis use during pregnancy: a rapid best-framework qualitative synthesis. Can J Public Health 112, 49–59 (2021). https://doi.org/10.17269/s41997-020-00346-x
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.17269/s41997-020-00346-x