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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Natoshia M. Askelson, MPH, Jana J. Peterson, MPH, and Erin O. Heiden, MPH. Department of Community and Behavioral Health, University of Iowa, 1215 Westlawn, Iowa City, IA 52242, 319-335-8332, erin-heiden@uiowa.edu

The purpose of this research was to describe the relationships among interpersonal communication, descriptive norms, attitudes, and drinking behavior among 700 pregnant women in Iowa. Pretest survey data from the Increasing FAS Awareness among Low-Income Rural Pregnant Women project funded by the CDC was used to test the hypothesis that increased interpersonal communication (talk) relates directly to healthier norms, behavior, and attitudes. Bivariate correlations and chi-square analysis were performed to test the relationships among variables in the hypothesis. The sample was divided into subgroups by reported alcohol-use and the relationships among attitudes, norms, and talk for the subgroups were tested. In addition, interpersonal communication was examined in greater depth by dividing talk about consumption of alcohol during pregnancy into talk with various groups. The results indicated that alcohol consumption during pregnancy was positively related to the attitude that it is okay to drink during pregnancy. The attitude that it is okay to drink during pregnancy was also related to the perception that friends drink during pregnancy. The perception that friends drink alcohol during pregnancy was positively associated with talking about alcohol use during pregnancy. However, talk about drinking during pregnancy was not related to alcohol use behavior or attitude. These results partially confirmed the hypothesis, but suggested that the relationships among talk, alcohol consumption attitudes, and behavior were mediated by descriptive norms of the referent friend group. The exception was talk with pregnant friends, which was directly related to norms, behavior, and attitude, confirming the model in this special case.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to

• Better understand the complex relationships among interpersonal communication, descriptive norms, attitudes, and drinking behavior among pregnant women.
• Learn a method for examining the relationships among interpersonal communication, descriptive norms, attitudes, and drinking behavior among pregnant women.
• Gain knowledge to inform interventions aimed at decreasing the number of women who drink alcohol during pregnancy.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation