Improving addictions services for women and their children

[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/Connections09.jpg” caption=”Pictured from L to R: Wendy Sword, associate professor in the School of Nursing, Alison Niccols, associate professor from the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, and Maureen Dobbins, associate professor in the School of Nursing. Photo courtesy of FHS.”]A better understanding of how best to share knowledge between researchers and those who work with women with substance use issues is the focus of Connections, a program of research being led by researchers at McMaster University and McMaster Children's Hospital. This is the first program of research of its kind in the area of women with substance use issues and their children.

This research is particularly timely given substance use during pregnancy has been identified as a public health concern. At least 24,000 Canadians under the age of 21 have Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. Maternal use of alcohol and other drugs can have profound effects on child health and development. Many women who continue to abuse substances after childbirth have challenging life circumstances, including lack of affordable housing, diminished capacity for parenting, and difficulties providing stable, nurturing environments for their children.

The program was launched yesterday at a special event at the University Club.

Alison Niccols, associate professor from the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, along with Wendy Sword and Maureen Dobbins, associate professors in the School of Nursing, are co-leading this $1.4 million five-year program of research. Funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), it involves collaboration with researchers across Canada, including the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, the University of Toronto, the University of Western Ontario, and the University of British Columbia.

The primary goals of Connections are to identify the needs and preferences for receiving research evidence among decision makers and clinicians working with women with substance use issues in almost 800 addictions agencies in Canada and to use this information to develop, implement and evaluate knowledge translation and exchange strategies.

Niccols said that findings will help improve services, reduce costs (in terms of crime, unemployment, neonatal intensive care, etc.), and ultimately improve the health of a vulnerable, marginalized population of women and children at high risk for poor outcomes.

“The Canadian Institutes of Health Research is proud to fund a program that will share the findings of researchers with those who work directly in the community,” said Dr. Anthony Phillips, Scientific Director from the CIHR Institute of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Addiction. “Connections stands out as an innovative program and encourages the use of research to fight addiction and improve the health of Canadians.”

Republish this Article for Free

Republish this Article

We believe in the free flow of information. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivs 2.5 Canada (CC BY-ND 2.5 CA), so you can republish our articles for free, online or in print.

All republished articles must be attributed in the following way and contain links to both the site and original article: “This article was first published on Daily News. Read the original article.”

[img_inline align="right" src="http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/Connections09.jpg" caption="Pictured from L to R: Wendy Sword, associate professor in the School of Nursing, Alison Niccols, associate professor from the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, and Maureen Dobbins, associate professor in the School of Nursing. Photo courtesy of FHS."]A better understanding of how best to share knowledge between researchers and those who work with women with substance use issues is the focus of Connections, a program of research being led by researchers at McMaster University and McMaster Children&#039;s Hospital. This is the first program of research of its kind in the area of women with substance use issues and their children. <br />
 <br />
<p>This research is particularly timely given substance use during pregnancy has been identified as a public health concern. At least 24,000 Canadians under the age of 21 have Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. Maternal use of alcohol and other drugs can have profound effects on child health and development. Many women who continue to abuse substances after childbirth have challenging life circumstances, including lack of affordable housing, diminished capacity for parenting, and difficulties providing stable, nurturing environments for their children.<br />
 <br />
<p>The program was launched yesterday at a special event at the University Club.<br />
 <br />
<P>Alison Niccols, associate professor from the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, along with Wendy Sword and Maureen Dobbins, associate professors in the School of Nursing, are co-leading this $1.4 million five-year program of research. Funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), it involves collaboration with researchers across Canada, including the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, the University of Toronto, the University of Western Ontario, and the University of British Columbia. <br />
 <br />
<p>The primary goals of Connections are to identify the needs and preferences for receiving research evidence among decision makers and clinicians working with women with substance use issues in almost 800 addictions agencies in Canada and to use this information to develop, implement and evaluate knowledge translation and exchange strategies. <br />
 <br />
<p>Niccols said that findings will help improve services, reduce costs (in terms of crime, unemployment, neonatal intensive care, etc.), and ultimately improve the health of a vulnerable, marginalized population of women and children at high risk for poor outcomes. <br />
 <br />
<p>"The Canadian Institutes of Health Research is proud to fund a program that will share the findings of researchers with those who work directly in the community," said Dr. Anthony Phillips, Scientific Director from the CIHR Institute of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Addiction. "Connections stands out as an innovative program and encourages the use of research to fight addiction and improve the health of Canadians."

Media Enquiries

Phone: (905) 525-9140 ext. 24073
Email: comms@mcmaster.ca

The Communications and Public Affairs Office is staffed from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday.

The University has a broadcast quality television studio to facilitate live and pre-recorded interviews with media. Learn more about our experts.