Pregnancy and Binge Drinking: An Intersectionality Theory Perspective Using Veteran Status and Racial/Ethnic Identity

Albright, David L.; McDaniel, Justin; Suntai, Zainab; Horan, Holly; York, Mary

doi:10.1007/s10995-021-03171-x

Published: 04 May 2021

Pregnancy and Binge Drinking: An Intersectionality Theory Perspective Using Veteran Status and Racial/Ethnic Identity

Maternal and Child Health Journal volume 25, pages 1345–1351 (2021)Cite this article

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Abstract

Objectives

Alcohol use during pregnancy is a critical public health issue that results in several adverse outcomes for both mother and child. While the prevalence of and consequences of binge drinking among pregnant women is well-documented in the literature, little is known about the intersectional effect of racial/ethnic identity and veteran status. The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of binge drinking among pregnant women using the intersectionality of racial/ethnic identity and veteran status.

Methods

This study utilized combined data from the 2016, 2017 and 2018 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). The BRFSS is a telephone survey that collects health-related risk behaviors, chronic health conditions and use of preventative services among U.S residents. Generalized linear mixed models were used to examine the prevalence of binge drinking using the interaction between race/ethnicity and veteran status.

Results

Overall binge drinking prevalence was 3.60% among the sample of 6101 pregnant women. Binge drinking prevalence was the highest among racial/ethnic minority veterans at 17.42%, compared to 5.34% among white veterans, 4.05% among non-veteran racial/ethnic minorities and 3% among non-veteran whites, supporting the theory of intersectionality.

Conclusions

Intersectionality Theory suggests that the stressors from membership in two vulnerable groups may lead to increased disparities. The results of this study highlight the unique experience of being a veteran and identifying as a member of a racial/ethnic minority group. This calls for a need to customize preventative measures that address the combined impact of both racial/ethnic minority group status and veteran status.

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This study was not supported by any Grant.

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Authors and Affiliations

School of Social Work, University of Alabama, Alabama, USA
David L. Albright & Zainab Suntai
Public Health and Recreation Professions, Southern Illinois University, Illinois, USA
Justin McDaniel & Mary York
Department of Anthropology, University of Alabama, Alabama, USA
Holly Horan

Authors

David L. Albright
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Justin McDaniel
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Zainab Suntai
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Holly Horan
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Mary York
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Correspondence to David L. Albright.

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Albright, D.L., McDaniel, J., Suntai, Z. et al. Pregnancy and Binge Drinking: An Intersectionality Theory Perspective Using Veteran Status and Racial/Ethnic Identity. Matern Child Health J 25, 1345–1351 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-021-03171-x

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Accepted: 26 April 2021
Published: 04 May 2021
Issue Date: August 2021
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-021-03171-x

Keywords

Binge-drinking
Pregnancy
Racial/ethnic minority
Veteran
Race
Alcohol