Prevalence and reduction of alcohol consumption when pregnant across sociodemographic groups in the United States

Objectives: To analyze prevalence of maternal drinking and reduction in alcohol consumption when pregnant across subpopulations. Methods: A sample of 284,126 women of childbearing age from Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System 2006-2009 was used in multivariate linear and logistic regression models to estimate adjusted prevalence of alcohol use in past 30 days (any alcohol use, total number of drinks, and binge drinking). Explanatory variables included pregnancy status, education, race, age, marital status, employment, household income, and smoking behavior. Comparison was made within 4 sociodemographic groups: education levels, races, income levels, and age while controlling for other factors. Interaction terms between pregnancy status and sociodemographic characteristics were used to examine plausible differential reduction levels in alcohol consumption when pregnant. Results: Compared to other races, pregnant Hispanic women had the highest adjusted prevalence of any alcohol use (10.8%) and binge drinking (2.9%), and adjusted number of drinks (1.8). Women with higher education reduced alcohol use at higher rates relative to others but the absolute levels were still highest among those with at least a college degree (9.7% any alcohol use and 1.7% binge drinking). Adjusted binge drinking rate was highest among the middle-income women and older women (ages 40-44). Conclusions: When pregnant all women reduced alcohol consumption but differentially. Maternal drinking appears to be the most problematic among Hispanic women, causing potential health problems and disparities for Hispanic newborns. Higher rates of reduction in alcohol use among those with higher education do not imply maternal drinking is less a problem for them.