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Inconsistent Report of Pre-Pregnancy-Recognition Alcohol Use by Latinas

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Abstract

Objective This study compared pregnant Latinas’ report of alcohol use for the 3-month period before pregnancy recognition with two different methods of data collection, in an attempt to identify opportunities for improved screening. Methods Data were collected for 53 pregnant Latinas who have ever drunk alcohol and who were receiving services at Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) clinics in San Diego, California. This study compared alcohol use reported during in-depth research interviews conducted in homes, to responses to an alcohol screening question administered by WIC staff. Results Latinas were more likely to report alcohol use for the 3-month period before pregnancy recognition at the in-depth home interview than their reported date of last drink to the WIC clinic would indicate (70% vs. 15%, respectively). Of importance, 57% of home interview reports that were positive for pre-pregnancy-recognition alcohol use would not have been identified by their reported date of last drink to the WIC screening question. Younger age, higher income, and earlier recognition of pregnancy were associated with under-reporting of pre-pregnancy-recognition alcohol use. Conclusions Reporting of pre-pregnancy-recognition alcohol use may be influenced by the circumstances and scope of the screening questions employed, and varies by respondent’s characteristics. Asking about pre-pregnancy-recognition alcohol use, i.e., alcohol consumed before pregnancy is recognized, may improve identification of low-income pregnant Latinas who may benefit from targeted intervention services.

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Acknowledgements

This research was supported by Grant #S1732-21/23 from the Association of Schools of Public Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Behavioral Epidemiology and Community Health, San Diego State University, 9245 Sky Park Court, Suite 230, San Diego, CA, 92123, USA

    Suzanne C. Hughes, Nada Kassem, Dennis R. Wahlgren & Melbourne F. Hovell

  2. Departments of Pediatrics and Family and Preventive Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA

    Christina D. Chambers

  3. Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, San Diego State University Foundation, San Diego, CA, USA

    Sarah Larson

  4. Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA

    Edward P. Riley

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  1. Suzanne C. Hughes
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Correspondence to Suzanne C. Hughes.

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Hughes, S.C., Chambers, C.D., Kassem, N. et al. Inconsistent Report of Pre-Pregnancy-Recognition Alcohol Use by Latinas. Matern Child Health J 13, 857–864 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-008-0416-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-008-0416-3

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