THUNDER BAY — The Thunder Bay District Health Unit says it's pleased with the response to date to a survey that asks area residents what they think about women using cannabis while they are pregnant.
TBDHU launched the online survey at the beginning of the month, and it will remain posted until Friday, March 1 at 11:59 p.m.
Public Health nurse Lyne Soramaki says it's the next stage of a multi-year project.
"We've had an overwhelming response. At this point we're close to 1,800, so the community has been really supportive," Soramaki said Monday.
Participants are not required to be either pregnant or cannabis users to fill out the questionnaire.
It asks approximately 21 questions including opinions about how safe it is to use cannabis, whether people feel pressured to use it, and what individuals might say to a pregnant woman about using cannabis.
The information, Soramaki said, will help the health unit plan some of its programs.
Analysis of the responses will be incorporated in a report to be finalized by early summer, and will be made public.
According to Soramaki, "there's low levels of evidence and there's not a lot of research" related to the topic of cannabis and pregnancy, "so we're essentially helping to create that research" through the survey.
The data that's being gathered will be incorporated with work done in a previous stage of the project, and with research done elsewhere.
"At this point we're looking at the perceptions and what we can do to help support healthcare providers, educating them and educating the public as well."
Participants are eligible to enter a draw for prizes.
