Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40508842›Full record

ArticleHealthcare (Basel, Switzerland)2025

Pregnancy Care in Times of Cannabis Legalization: Self-Rated Knowledge, Risk Perception and Communication Practices of Midwives in Germany.

Julia Wollscheid, Matthias Burke, Theresa Kimmel, Tobias Kaufmann, Anil Batra, Annette Binder

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland), 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Clinical practice guideline "preconception care".Archives of gynecology and obstetrics · 2026
    Guideline
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Julia WollscheidInstitute for Health Sciences, Department of Midwifery Science, University Hospital Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany.ORCID 0009-0002-0579-4789
Matthias BurkeDepartment of General Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Addiction Medicine and Addiction Research Section, University Hospital Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany.
Theresa KimmelDepartment of General Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Addiction Medicine and Addiction Research Section, University Hospital Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany.
Tobias KaufmannDepartment of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Tübingen Center for Mental Health, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany.
Anil BatraDepartment of General Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Addiction Medicine and Addiction Research Section, University Hospital Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany.ORCID 0000-0001-7470-9037
Annette BinderDepartment of General Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Addiction Medicine and Addiction Research Section, University Hospital Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany.ORCID 0000-0002-4253-3177

Funding

Federal Centre for Health Education Z2/21.30.11/23
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

BACKGROUND/

objectivesThe legalization of recreational cannabis in Germany in 2024 has increased the relevance of cannabis use in maternal healthcare. Although prenatal cannabis exposure is associated with potential risks to fetal development, the topic remains underrepresented in midwifery research and education. Germany, midwives play a key role in prenatal care. This study investigates midwives' self-rated knowledge, perceived risks, and the frequency of screening and counseling on cannabis use during pregnancy.

methodsThis study presents a secondary analysis of cross-sectional survey data collected from midwives and physicians in Germany (N = 284) between May and October 2024. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, Wilcoxon signed-rank tests, chi-square tests, Spearman's rank correlations, and multiple linear regression models.

resultsMidwives rated their knowledge about cannabis-related risks during pregnancy as moderate. While most reported that substance use was addressed in initial training, only continuing education and older age were associated with higher self-rated knowledge. Knowledge was positively correlated with risk perception and communication frequency. Overall, risk perception was high-particularly regarding fetal outcomes-though cannabis was perceived as less harmful than alcohol and addressed less often. Fewer than half of the midwives routinely screened for cannabis use, and only 22% always provided counseling.

conclusionsTo strengthen midwives' preparedness, both the integration of cannabis-specific content into initial training and the expansion of continuing education may be beneficial. Clear, evidence-based, and non-stigmatizing communication strategies are essential to support maternal and fetal health in a changing legal and cultural landscape.

Indexed as

counselingGermanylegalizationmaternal healthmidwiferypregnancyprenatal cannabis useprofessional educationrisk perception

Identifiers

PMID40508842
PMCPMC12154320

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.