The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #68338

Madhabika B. Nayak, PhD, Lee Ann Kaskutas, DrPH, E. Anne Lown, DrPH, Thomas K. Greenfield, PhD, and Marjorie J. Robertson, PhD. Public Health Institute, Alcohol Research Group, 2000 Hearst Ave, Suite 300, Berkeley, CA 94709, 510-642-5208, mnayak@arg.org

Research that associates childhood abuse with subsequent problematic drinking in adult women has primarily focused on childhood sexual abuse, heavy drinking, and alcohol abuse or dependence. More moderate but still risky drinking, defined as exceeding low-risk guidelines, has only received recent attention, particularly in pregnant women or those of childbearing age. Reduction of drinking by pregnant and childbearing age women is a priority national health objective for 2010. We used data on 1504 women (age 18-39) from the 2000 National Alcohol Survey to examine past year drinking using various definitions of risky drinking. We also studied if a history of child abuse increased the likelihood of risky drinking in these women. Five percent of women in our sample were currently pregnant and 37% of those not pregnant reported that they were likely to be pregnant in the next 5 years. Overall, 13 % of all women met CDC risky drinking criteria (7 or more drinks per week OR 5 or more drinks in one day). Roughly 20% of all women reported childhood physical abuse and/or sexual abuse. Pregnant women with a history of childhood abuse were more likely to report risky drinking compared to pregnant women with no childhood abuse history. Detailed analyses examine the role of childhood abuse in risky drinking assessed by different criteria in pregnant women and in those who may be pregnant in the next 5 years. Implications for prevention and intervention strategies with women at risk for problematic prenatal drinking are discussed.

Learning Objectives:

At the end of this presentation, participants will be able to
• Recognize psychosocial factors that increase risk for problematic drinking in childbearing age women.
• Develop assessment strategies to increase detection of women at risk for problematic drinking.
• Discuss possible interventions with women who may be at risk for problematic prenatal drinking

Keywords: Risk Behavior, Family Violence

Related Web page: na

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: none
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.