The association between preconception cannabis use and gestational diabetes mellitus: The Preconception Period Analysis of Risks and Exposures Influencing health and Development (PrePARED) consortium.

BACKGROUND: The metabolic changes that ultimately lead to gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) likely begin before pregnancy. Cannabis use might increase the risk of GDM by increasing appetite or promoting fat deposition and adipogenesis. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to assess the association between preconception cannabis use and GDM incidence. METHODS: We analysed individual-level data from eight prospective cohort studies. We identified the first, or index, pregnancy (lasting ≥20 weeks of gestation with GDM status) after cannabis use. In analyses of pooled individual-level data, we used logistic regression to estimate study-type-specific odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI), adjusting for potential confounders using random effect meta-analysis to combine study-type-specific ORs and 95% CIs. Stratified analyses assessed potential effect modification by preconception tobacco use and pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI). RESULTS: Of 17,880 participants with an index pregnancy, 1198 (6.7%) were diagnosed with GDM. Before the index pregnancy, 12.5% of participants used cannabis in the past year. Overall, there was no association between preconception cannabis use in the past year and GDM (OR 0.97, 95% CI 0.79, 1.18). Among participants who never used tobacco, however, those who used cannabis more than weekly had a higher risk of developing GDM than those who did not use cannabis in the past year (OR 2.65, 95% CI 1.15, 6.09). This association was not present among former or current tobacco users. Results were similar across all preconception BMI groups. CONCLUSIONS: In this pooled analysis of preconception cohort studies, preconception cannabis use was associated with a higher risk of developing GDM among individuals who never used tobacco but not among individuals who formerly or currently used tobacco. Future studies with more detailed measurements are needed to investigate the influence of preconception cannabis use on pregnancy complications.

COVID-19 pandemic effects: Examining prenatal internalizing symptoms and infant temperament.

For pregnant women, the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in unprecedented stressors, including uncertainty regarding prenatal care and the long-term consequences of perinatal infection. However, few studies have examined the role of this adverse event on maternal wellbeing and infant socioemotional development following the initial wave of the pandemic when less stringent public health restrictions were in place. The current study addressed these gaps in the literature by first comparing prenatal internalizing symptoms and infant temperament collected after the first wave of the pandemic to equivalent measures in a pre-pandemic sample. Second, associations between prenatal pandemic-related stress and infant temperament were examined. Women who were pregnant during the COVID-19 pandemic endorsed higher pregnancy-specific anxiety relative to the pre-pandemic sample. They also reported greater infant negative emotionality and lower positive affectivity and regulatory capacity at 2 months postpartum. Prenatal infection stress directly predicted infant negative affect. Both prenatal infection and preparedness stress were indirectly related to infant negative emotionality through depression symptoms during pregnancy and at 2 months postpartum. These results have implications for prenatal mental health screening procedures during the pandemic and the development of early intervention programs for infants born to mothers during this adverse event.

Associations between nurse characteristics, institutional characteristics and perceived nurse knowledge and self-efficacy of reporting suspected child abuse and neglect.

AIM: To determine the association between nurse and institutional characteristics and perceived professional nurse knowledge and self-efficacy of reporting child abuse and neglect. DESIGN: A sample of N = 166 nurses were recruited to respond to the Reporting of Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect (RSCAN) survey. METHODS: A multiple linear regression examined whether nurse characteristics and institutional characteristics were associated with the two RSCAN survey domain scores. RESULTS: Perceived knowledge of a workplace child abuse and neglect protocol was associated with the knowledge subscale. Education and child abuse and neglect expertise were significant predictors of the self-efficacy subscale. Nurses with a master's or higher degree and those who identified as being either forensic, paediatric or Emergency Department nurses, had less perceived institutional barriers to self-efficacy of reporting child abuse and neglect. CONCLUSION: This study provides a preliminary insight into the institutional barriers and facilitators of nurses as child abuse and neglect mandated reporters. IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PROFESSION AND/OR PATIENT CARE: To encourage innovative education and collaborations to support nurses as fully informed child abuse and neglect mandated reporters. IMPACT: This research identifies the gaps and facilitators of nurses as child abuse and neglect mandated reporters to inform healthcare professionals and academic institutions on the importance of nurse education and experience in nurse knowledge and self-efficacy in reporting suspected child abuse and neglect. REPORTING METHODS: The authors of this study have adhered to relevant EQUATOR guidelines: STROBE. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: There is no patient or public contribution as the study only looked at nurses.

Clinical and psychosocial outcomes by sex among individuals prescribed buprenorphine-naloxone (BUP-NX) or extended-release naltrexone (XR-NTX) for opioid use disorder.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Limited research has explored sex differences in opioid use disorder medication (MOUD) treatment outcomes. The purpose of this study was to examine MOUD initiation onto buprenorphine-naloxone (BUP-NX) versus extended-release naltrexone (XR-NTX) by sex, and sex differences in clinical and psychosocial outcomes. METHODS: Using data from a 24-week open-label comparative effectiveness trial of BUP-NX or XR-NTX, this study examined MOUD initiation (i.e., receiving a minimum one XR-NTX injection or first BUP-NX dose) and 24-week self-report outcomes. We used regression models to estimate the probability of MOUD initiation failure among the intent-to-treat sample (N = 570), and the main and interaction effects of sex on outcomes of interest among the subsample of participants who successfully initiated MOUD (n = 474). RESULTS: In the intent-to-treat sample, the odds of treatment initiation failure were not significantly different by sex. In the subsample of successful MOUD initiates, the effect of treatment on employment at week 24 was significantly moderated by sex (p = .003); odds of employment were not significantly different among males by MOUD type; females randomized to XR-NTX versus BUP-NX had 4.63 times greater odds of employment (p < .001). Males had significantly lower odds of past 30-day exchanging sex for drugs versus females (adjusted odds ratios [aOR] = 0.10, p = .004), controlling for treatment and baseline outcomes. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Further research should explore how to integrate employment support into OUD treatment to improve patient outcomes, particularly among women. SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE: The current study addressed gaps in the literature by examining sex differences in MOUD initiation and diverse treatment outcomes in a large, national sample.

Determinants of exclusive direct breastfeeding using constructs from the breastfeeding relationship scale.

OBJECTIVES: This study examined the relationship among constructs of the Breastfeeding Relationship Scale and exclusive direct breastfeeding (EDBF) while controlling for covariates in US breastfeeding dyads in the first 3 months. BACKGROUND: The Breastfeeding Relationship Scale was developed to measure mother-infant mutual responsiveness during breastfeeding in response to perceived insufficient milk, but there is no clear understanding about the relationships between the Breastfeeding Relationship Scale's constructs and EDBF. METHODS: A cross-sectional design was used. The convenience sample of 589 directly breastfeeding mothers in the US whose infants were between 1 and 12 weeks of age were included for analysis using a structural equation model. Covariates for EDBF included mother's age, education, marital status, parity, prior breastfeeding experience, infant's age, weight, and sex. RESULTS: Mother-Infant Breastfeeding Interaction and Breastfeeding Synchronicity were related (ß = 0.33, p < .001), as were Breastfeeding Synchronicity and Perceived Adequate Milk Supply (ß = 0.35, p < .001) and Mother-Infant Breastfeeding Interaction and Perceived Adequate Milk Supply (ß = 0.08, p = .05). The relationship between Mother-Infant Breastfeeding Interaction and Breastfeeding Synchronicity with EDBF was fully mediated by Perceived Adequate Milk Supply, where the odds of EDBF was higher for mothers with higher scores on Perceived Adequate Milk Supply (OR = 1.61, p < .001) and prior breastfeeding experience (OR = 2.31, p = .006). CONCLUSIONS: Perceived Adequate Milk Supply and prior breastfeeding experience are major determinants of EDBF in the first 3 months. Breastfeeding Synchronicity can bolster Mother-Infant Breastfeeding Interaction and promote Perceived Adequate Milk. More attention should be paid to breastfeeding relationship to be the result of EDBF.

Healthcare professionals' and budtenders' perceptions of perinatal cannabis use.

Background: While national guidelines state that cannabis should not be consumed during pregnancy, cannabis use during pregnancy continues to increase. Pregnant individuals have reported using healthcare professionals and budtenders (i.e., cannabis store retailers) as resources for information on cannabis use during pregnancy and postpartum.Objectives: To determine healthcare professionals' and budtenders' perceptions of risks and benefits of perinatal cannabis use.Method: A qualitative study, using semi-structured, open-ended questions, was conducted with ten healthcare professionals (predominantly nurses; 100% women) and ten budtenders (70% women) in a state where cannabis use is legal for adults 21 years of age and older. Data were interpreted using a qualitative description methodology to identify themes. Themes were generated from participant responses (implicit and explicit). We analyzed data separately and sequentially and present linked themes across samples. Data saturation, rigor, and trustworthiness were discussed and agreed upon by the analytic team.Results: Six themes arose from the healthcare professional and budtender data: 1) Perinatal customers and patients perceive cannabis to be medicinal, 2) Supporting perinatal people who use cannabis, 3) Spectrum of perceived impacts of perinatal cannabis use, 4) Comparison to use of other substances during pregnancy, 5) Perceived limited knowledge and training about cannabis regulation and product safety, and 6) Current trends of purchase and use.Conclusion: Participants reported that perinatal patients/customers perceived cannabis to be medicinal, and highlighted non-judgmental/harm reduction strategies for engaging patients/customers. Training is needed for healthcare professionals and budtenders to assist with patient/customer discussions about perinatal cannabis use.

Supporting perinatal individuals with opioid use disorder and their newborns experiencing neonatal abstinence syndrome: impressions from patients and healthcare providers.

Background: Facilitating maternal-newborn involvement and care is critical for improving outcomes for perinatal individuals receiving opioid agonist therapy (OAT) and newborns experiencing Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS). Comprehensive education strategies are needed to prepare pregnant individuals receiving OAT for navigating the perinatal period.Objectives: Identify facilitators to successful care of perinatal individuals receiving OAT and newborns experiencing NAS via interviews with perinatal individuals and healthcare providers. The goal of identifying this information is to inform a future educational tool development.Methods: Ten perinatal individuals receiving OAT and ten healthcare providers participated in interviews conducted via phone or video conference using semi-structured, open-ended questions. Data were analyzed separately for the two groups and later merged across samples using a qualitative descriptive content analysis approach to identify themes.Results: Under the overarching theme of empowerment to improve outcomes for perinatal women, four themes arose from perinatal and provider interviews: 1) Preparation for Child Protective Services (CPS) involvement, 2) Healthcare providers shape experience through stigma and support 3) Caring for newborns with NAS, and 4) Managing health and resources during postpartum.Conclusion: Perinatal participants emphasized the importance of self-advocacy while navigating healthcare and social systems. Providers highlighted the importance of communicating expectations to empower patients. Education is needed for pregnant individuals receiving OAT on what to expect during pregnancy and postpartum, as well as for providers to help them optimally support their perinatal patients receiving OAT.

Substance use and mental health in pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic.

OBJECTIVES: We examined the prevalence of substance use as a coping mechanism and identified relationships between maternal mental health over time and use of substances to cope during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic among pregnant women in the U.S.A. METHODS: Self-reported repeated measures from 83 pregnant women were collected online in April 2020 and May 2020. Women retrospectively reported their mental/emotional health before the pandemic, as well as depression, stress, and substance use as a result of the pandemic at both time points. Linear regression measured cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between mental health and substance use. RESULTS: Pre-COVID-19 reports of poorer mental/emotional health (b = 0.46) were significantly (p < .05) associated with number of substances used to cope with the pandemic. Elevated stress (b = 0.35) and depressive symptoms (b = 0.27) and poorer mental/emotional health (b = 0.14) in April were also significantly related to higher numbers of substances used in May (p < .05). CONCLUSION: Pregnant women's psychological well-being may be a readily measured indicator substance use risk during crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Interventions addressing increased stress and depression may also mitigate the emergence of greater substance use among pregnant women.

Stressors, coping, and resources needed during the COVID-19 pandemic in a sample of perinatal women.

BACKGROUND: Psychological stress and coping experienced during pregnancy can have important effects on maternal and infant health, which can also vary by race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status. Therefore, we assessed stressors, coping behaviors, and resources needed in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic in a sample of 162 perinatal (125 pregnant and 37 postpartum) women in the United States. METHODS: A mixed-methods study captured quantitative responses regarding stressors and coping, along with qualitative responses to open-ended questions regarding stress and resources needed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Logistic and linear regression models were used to analyze differences between pregnant and postpartum participants, as well as differences across key demographic variables. Qualitative content analysis was used to analyze open-ended questions. RESULTS: During the COVID-pandemic, food scarcity and shelter-in-place restrictions made it difficult for pregnant women to find healthy foods. Participants also reported missing prenatal appointments, though many reported using telemedicine to obtain these services. Financial issues were prevalent in our sample and participants had difficulty obtaining childcare. After controlling for demographic variables, pregnant women were less likely to engage in healthy stress-coping behaviors than postpartum women. Lastly, we were able to detect signals of increased stressors induced by the COVID-19 pandemic, and less social support, in perinatal women of racial and ethnic minority, and lower-income status. Qualitative results support our survey findings as participants expressed concerns about their baby contracting COVID-19 while in the hospital, significant others missing the delivery or key obstetric appointments, and wanting support from friends, family, and birthing classes. Financial resources, COVID-19 information and research as it relates to maternal-infant health outcomes, access to safe healthcare, and access to baby supplies (formula, diapers, etc.) emerged as the primary resources needed by participants. CONCLUSIONS: To better support perinatal women's mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare providers should engage in conversations regarding access to resources needed to care for newborns, refer patients to counseling services (which can be delivered online/via telephone) and virtual support groups, and consistently screen pregnant women for stressors.

Substance Use and Mental Health in Emerging Adult Vs Older Adult Men and Women With Opioid Use Disorder.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: We examined age differences across genders in clinical characteristics in emerging adult (≤25 years) vs older adult patients (26+ years) with opioid use disorder (OUD). METHODS: Participants (N = 570; 30% female) entering a comparative effectiveness medication trial of buprenorphine vs extended-release naltrexone. RESULTS: Differences in clinical characteristics in emerging adult vs older participants were similar across genders. However, women 26+ years reported more mental health problems compared with women ≤25, while men ≤25 years reported more mental health problems compared with men 26+ years. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Different strategies for emerging adult and older patients seeking OUD treatment may be necessary to address psychiatric comorbidities that differ across genders in this population. SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE: Comprehensive psychiatric assessment should be systematically included in OUD treatment for all genders. Treatment should focus on the emerging adult developmental phase when appropriate, with psychiatric treatment tailored for women and men, separately, across the lifespan. (Am J Addict 2020;29:536-542).

Randomized Controlled Trial of the Promoting First Relationships® Preventive Intervention for Primary Caregivers and Toddlers in an American Indian Community.

Preventive intervention programs that address parenting practices and children's developmental needs early in life have led to positive changes in caregiving behavior and children's developmental outcomes. However, little is known about the efficacy of such programs among American Indian families. This study tested the efficacy of the strengths-based Promoting First Relationships® (PFR) program in American Indian families living on a rural reservation. Participants were 34 toddlers (10-30 months old) and their primary caregivers. Families were randomized to an Immediate (n = 17) or Waitlist (n = 17) group after a home visit for baseline data collection, which included assessment of observed caregiver-child interactions, caregiver perceptions, and child behavior. After randomization, we delivered the PFR intervention in 10 visits to the Immediate group, with some adaptations based on focus groups with community members and staff input. We analyzed follow-up assessments by implementing multiple regression analyses, controlling for baseline scores and using multiple imputation to handle missing data. Results supported our primary hypotheses: the Immediate group, compared with Waitlist, had significantly higher scores on the quality (p = .011, d = 1.02) and contingent responsiveness (p = .013, d = 1.21) of caregiver-child interactions, as well as on caregiver knowledge of toddlers' social and emotional needs and level of developmentally appropriate expectations (p = .000, d = 0.58). Caregiver stress and caregivers' reports of child behavior did not differ significantly. Our results hold promise for additional PFR research in other Native communities.

Quit Happens: A community clinic-based, multitiered smoking cessation intervention.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the "Quit Happens" program launched to reduce tobacco use in low-income populations in a federally qualified nonprofit health center with clinics in Washington and Idaho. Quit Happens was implemented in 2015 and involved a public health nurse, patient, provider, clinic, health system, and community components. DESIGN AND SAMPLE: This smoking cessation program was assessed using a pre-post evaluation design. Nine clinics in a single system of federally qualified nonprofit health centers participated in this program. INTERVENTION: The Quit Happens program was implemented across nine clinics in Washington and Idaho. A specialized public health nurse led the tobacco cessation training of all clinic staff and assisted with development of the smoking cessation program. The 5A model was used as the framework for the training. MEASUREMENTS: The proportion of patients identifying as a current or former smoker was measured using data extracted from electronic health records. RESULTS: Declines in patient reports of currently smoking were observed between 2016 and 2018. The percent of current smokers identified in electronic health records decreased 18.7% and percent of former smokers doubled. CONCLUSION: This community-based tobacco cessation program had wide clinic and community support and self-reported smoking behavior declined over time. A public health nurse's leadership in offering training and program development around tobacco cessation to a local community organization can contribute to reductions in smoking rates.

Pilot investigation: randomized-controlled analog trial for alcohol and tobacco smoking co-addiction using contingency management.

Contingency management (CM) is associated with decreases in off-target drug and alcohol use during primary target treatment. The primary hypothesis for this trial was that targeting alcohol use or tobacco smoking would yield increased abstinence in the opposite, nontargeted drug. We used a 2 [CM vs. noncontingent control (NC) for alcohol]×2 (CM vs. NC for smoking tobacco) factorial design, with alcohol intake (through urinary ethyl glucuronide) and tobacco smoking (through urinary cotinine) as the primary outcomes. Thirty-four heavy-drinking smokers were randomized into one of four groups, wherein they received CM, or equivalent NC reinforcement, for alcohol abstinence, smoking abstinence, both drugs, or neither drug. The CM for alcohol and tobacco group had only two participants and therefore was not included in analysis. Compared with the NC for alcohol and tobacco smoking group, both the CM for the tobacco smoking group [odds ratio (OR)=12.03; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.50-96.31] and the CM for the alcohol group (OR=37.55; 95% CI: 4.86-290.17) submitted significantly more tobacco-abstinent urinalyses. Similarly, compared with the NC for the alcohol and tobacco group, both the CM for smoking (OR=2.57; 95% CI: 1.00-6.60) and the CM for alcohol groups (OR=3.96; 95% CI: 1.47-10.62) submitted significantly more alcohol-abstinent urinalyses. These data indicate cross-over effects of CM on indirect treatment targets. Although this is a pilot investigation, it could help to inform the design of novel treatments for alcohol and tobacco co-addiction.

Gender differences in demographic and clinical characteristics of patients with opioid use disorder entering a comparative effectiveness medication trial.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: We investigated gender differences in individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD) receiving inpatient services and entering a randomized controlled trial comparing extended-release naltrexone to buprenorphine. METHODS: Participants (N = 570) provided demographic, substance use, and psychiatric information. RESULTS: Women were significantly younger, more likely to identify as bisexual, live with a sexual partner, be financially dependent, and less likely employed. Women reported significantly greater psychiatric comorbidity and risk behaviors, shorter duration but similar age of onset of opioid use. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSIONS: Findings underscore economic, psychiatric, and infection vulnerability among women with OUD. SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE: Interventions targeting these disparities should be explored, as women may face complicated treatment initiation, retention, and recovery. (Am J Addict 2018;27:465-470).

Prevalence and Indicators of Household Smoking Bans Among American Indians.

More than 58 million nonsmokers in the U.S. encounter secondhand smoke that leads to tobacco-related diseases and deaths every year, making voluntary household smoking bans an important public health goal. American Indians/Alaska Natives are rarely included in research related to household smoking bans. Further, most studies dichotomize household smoking bans into complete bans versus partial/no bans, rendering it impossible to determine if partial and no bans are associated with different or similar risk factors. Using the 2014 Cherokee Nation American Indian Adult Tobacco Survey, our study sought to identify prevalence of household smoking bans, their extent, and their correlates in an American Indian population. This cross-sectional analysis used multinomial logistic regression to determine correlates of complete, partial, and no household smoking bans. Results indicated that approximately 84% of Cherokee households have a complete ban. Younger age, female gender, higher education, higher household income, respondent's nonsmoking status, good health, better awareness of harms related to secondhand smoke, visits with a healthcare provider within the past year, and children in the home were positively and significantly associated with complete household smoking bans. Additionally, there were notable differences between correlates related to partial bans and no bans. These results provide insight for the development of more appropriate interventions for American Indian households that do not have a complete household smoking ban.

A National Survey Examining Manuscript Dissertation Formats Among Nursing PhD Programs in the United States.

PURPOSE: Among research-focused nursing doctoral (PhD) programs in the United States, the traditional dissertation format has recently given way to a series of publication-ready manuscripts, often bookended by introduction and conclusion chapters. To help programs make decisions about the use of these formats, this study undertook a national survey of programs offering PhDs in nursing. The purpose of this study was to explore the advantages and disadvantages of the traditional format versus manuscript option for dissertations among nursing PhD programs in the United States. DESIGN: Cross-sectional census survey of U.S. nursing PhD programs. METHODS: A web-based survey was administered to all U.S. nursing PhD programs. Respondents indicated formats offered, factors contributing to decisions of which formats to offer, and lessons learned. Descriptive statistics and inductive content analyses were used for analysis. FINDINGS: Of 121 eligible institutions, 79 provided eligible responses (66.7%). The majority (59%) offered both formats; 11% offered the manuscript option only, and 24% offered the traditional format only. Faculty support (or lack thereof) contributed to adoption (or not) of the manuscript option. Respondents' approaches to the manuscript option (e.g., number of papers) and advice are summarized. CONCLUSIONS: Manuscript option dissertations are commonly offered and provide benefits to students and faculty; however, thoughtful implementation is critical. Programs need to agree upon clear expectations and have graduate school support (e.g., formatting). Faculty need mentorship in advising manuscript option students who choose to use this format, and the time and support. Finally, students need additional writing skills that could be provided through coursework or via individual work with mentors. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: As nursing education continues to expand further into doctoral research, programs must examine dissertation formats in order to both prepare future nurse scholars and disseminate nursing research that is critical to improving nursing education, patient care, and clinical practice.

Seeking Chronic Pain Relief: A Hermeneutic Exploration.

BACKGROUND: In the United States, chronic pain is experienced by over 39.4 million adults, many of whom are treated with opioid pain medications. AIM: This research presents an interpretation of the experience of seeking pain relief for a group of people taking opioid pain medications whose pain is not adequately controlled. METHODS: A concurrent embedded mixed-methods design was used, including a Heideggerian hermeneutic qualitative approach that focuses on the participants' perceptions as a vehicle for understanding the phenomenon of seeking pain relief with descriptive quantitative data in a supporting role. Thirteen interviews and 15 surveys were analyzed, all of which met the following criteria: (1) self-reported chronic pain (persistent pain lasting a minimum of six months), (2) current use of prescription opioid medications, (3) pain not successfully controlled. RESULTS: The analysis revealed a paradox, which we describe as being lost/finding myself in the health care system. This paradox became the overarching pattern of experience that subsumed several dynamic, overlapping practices described in the patterns: (1) seeking relief as suffering; (2) being classified as an addict but not an addict; (3) living with pain as remembering; and (4) experiencing treatment modalities as fickle possibilities. CONCLUSION: Explication of and interpretive commentary on these patterns shift the focus from drug seeking to pain relief seeking behaviors in chronic pain sufferers. Such a shift could change the manner in which providers work with chronic pain sufferers to find appropriate treatment modalities.

Sex differences in opioid use and medical issues during buprenorphine/naloxone treatment.

BACKGROUND: There are sex differences in buprenorphine/naloxone clinical trials for opioid use. While women have fewer opioid-positive urine samples, relative to men, a significant decrease in opioid-positive samples was found during treatment for men, but not women. In order to inform sex-based approaches to improve treatment outcomes, research is needed to determine if opioid use, and predictors of opioid use, differs between men and women during treatment. OBJECTIVES: To test for sex differences in opioid use during a buprenorphine/naloxone clinical trial and determine if sex differences exist in the associations between addiction-related problem areas and opioid use over the course of the trial. METHOD: This secondary data analysis of the National Drug Abuse Treatment Clinical Trials Network (CTN) 0003 examined sex differences (men = 347, women = 169) in opioid-positive samples in a randomized clinical trial comparing 7-day vs. 28-day buprenorphine/naloxone tapering strategies. Addiction-related problem areas were defined by Addiction Severity-Lite (ASI-L) domain composite scores. RESULTS: Women were more likely than men to use opioids during the course of the buprenorphine/naloxone clinical trial (B = .33, p = .01) and medical issues were positively related to submitting an opioid-positive sample during treatment for women (B = 1.67, p = .01). No ASI-L domain composite score was associated with opioid-positive samples during treatment for men. CONCLUSION: Women were more likely than men to use opioids during the course of the buprenorphine/naloxone clinical trial, and medical issues predicted opioid use during treatment for women but not men. Complementary treatment for medical problems during opioid replacement therapy may benefit women.

Student support in accelerated nursing programs: Gender-based perspectives and impact on academic outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Factors that contribute to student success in accelerated degree nursing programs are poorly understood and may vary by gender. PURPOSE: Examine associations between satisfaction with peer and mentor support, gender, and academic outcomes among students in accelerated degree nursing programs. METHODS: We used data (demographic variables, satisfaction with peer and mentor support, graduation, and attempts of National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses) from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's New Career in Nursing Program. Multivariable mixed effects regression models were used to examine associations among gender, satisfaction with support, and academic outcomes. FINDINGS: Males had an increased probability of reporting high satisfaction with peer support. Both males and females who were very dissatisfied with peer support were less likely to graduate than students who were very satisfied with peer support. Gender did not moderate the relationships between satisfaction with peer and mentor support and academic outcomes. CONCLUSION: Peer support is an important aspect of graduation among students in accelerated degree nursing programs. Continuous quality improvement strategies to improve student peer support may be warranted.

The Birth Satisfaction Scale - Revised (BSS-R): should the subscale scores or the total score be used?

OBJECTIVE AND BACKGROUND: The 10-item Birth Satisfaction Scale - Revised (BSS-R) is increasingly being used internationally as the instrument of choice for the assessment of birth satisfaction. There remains conjecture over the most appropriate way to score the instrument; subscale scores overall total score, or both approaches. The current study sought to clarify this issue by examining the measurement characteristics of the United States version of the BSS-R from a large data set. METHODS: Secondary analysis of a data matrix from a large sample US BSS-R validation study (N = 2116) using structural equation modelling. RESULTS: A bi-factor model revealed an excellent fit to data (χ2(df = 25) = 208.21, p < 0.001, CFI = 0.98, RMSEA = 0.06, SRMR = 0.04), demonstrating relative independence of the BSS-R quality of care subscale, while in contrast the women's attributes and stress experienced during childbearing subscales could be explained more plausibly by a general factor of experience of childbirth. CONCLUSION: Consistent with the recommendations of the original BSS-R validation study, the current investigation found robust empirical evidence to support the use of both the subscale scoring system and the total score. Researchers and clinicians can therefore select either approach (or both) with confidence.