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Predictors of drinking during pregnancy: a systematic review
Janna Skagerstróm1, Grace Chang, Per Nilsen
1Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Division of Social Medicine and Public Health Science, Linköpings Universitet, Linköping, Sweden. janna.skagerstrom@liu.se
Journal of Women'S Health (2002)
|June 16, 2011
Summary
Women who drank alcohol before pregnancy and experienced abuse or violence were more likely to continue drinking during pregnancy. Identifying these risk factors is key for prevention.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Public Health
- Addiction Research
Background:
- Many pregnant women continue alcohol consumption despite known risks.
- Public health campaigns have had limited success in reducing prenatal alcohol use.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify predictors of alcohol consumption during pregnancy.
- To inform the development of more effective prevention strategies for alcohol-exposed pregnancies.
Main Methods:
- A systematic literature search was conducted for studies published between 1999 and 2009.
- Included studies focused on antenatal care, collected data during pregnancy, investigated predictors of any drinking, and had a population-based orientation.
Main Results:
- Fourteen studies met the inclusion criteria, with most predictors identified in studies from the US, Europe, Australia/New Zealand, Japan, and Uganda.
- Pre-pregnancy alcohol consumption and history of abuse or violence were the most consistent predictors of drinking during pregnancy.
- High income/social class and positive dependence screen were less consistent predictors; unemployment, marital status, and education were infrequently predictive.
Conclusions:
- Pre-pregnancy alcohol use patterns and exposure to abuse or violence are strongly associated with drinking during pregnancy.
- Antenatal care providers should screen for these factors to identify women at risk.
- Improved detection can lead to targeted interventions for alcohol-exposed pregnancies.
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