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Q&A

Public Health/Global Health

Poster Session 3

(802) Nausea and vomiting during pregnancy, cannabis use, and health implications among an international Latina subgroup

Wednesday, February 14, 2024

8:30 AM – 10:00 AM

Location: Prince George's Exhibit Hall CDE, Lower Atrium Level

Primary & Presenting Author(s)

Lizbeth S. Becerra, MPH

Doctoral Student
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA, United States

Coauthor(s)

EG

Erin Gould, MPH

University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA, United States
AR

Amal Roble, BS

University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA, United States
RN

Ryan M. Nguyen, BS

University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA, United States
CO

Christine Okemkpa, MPH

University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA, United States
RC

Rachel C. Ceasar, PhD

University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA, United States
JL

Jennifer Laughter, BA

California State University
Fullerton, CA, United States
ST

Shreya Tamatam, BS

University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA, United States
Marlena Fejzo, PhD

Researcher
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA, United States
KM

Kimber MacGibbon, RN

Director
Hyperemesis Education and Research Foundation
Clackamas, OR, United States

Objective: Nausea and vomiting during pregnancy (NVP) can result in severe weight loss and affect maternal and fetal health. Hispanic/Latinas (HL) experience a higher prevalence of NVP than White women and are more likely to use cannabis to self-medicate NVP symptoms. This study investigated the prevalence of HL who took medication as prescribed for NVP yet also used cannabis.

Study Design: This prospective study used data from the HER Foundation that anonymously surveys women internationally about NVP symptoms, treatment for NVP, and cannabis use during their most recent pregnancy. Data were responses collected electronically between April 2022 to June 2023.

Results: Data were collected from HL experiencing NVP (N=283).Respondents were from 18 countries, nearly half lived in suburban regions, and had a mean age of 29.63 (SD=4.83). On average, most HL were about 15 weeks pregnant at the time of completing the survey and 28% self-reported that they had lost about 10% of their pre-pregnancy weight due to NVP. The majority had been prescribed medication for NVP (95%) with 84% reporting that they had taken the medication as prescribed. About 17% of HL self-reported using cannabis products (THC/CBD) during their pregnancy. Adjusting for residential context and age, there was a trend toward an inverse association between using NVP medication as prescribed and using cannabis to self-medicate for NVP. Although not statistically significant, women who used NVP medication as prescribed were less likely to use cannabis than women who did not use medication (OR: -0.13, 95% CI: [0.33–2.32], p >.05).

Conclusion: Based on these preliminary findings, more research with large, diverse participants are needed to better understand cannabis use among pregnant women of color. Qualitative analysis can support reasons why women are using cannabis and inform tailored educational approaches to treat weight loss caused by NVP.