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Peri‐Conceptual and Mid‐Pregnancy Alcohol Consumption: A Comparison between Areas of High and Low Deprivation in Scotland
Author(s) -
Symon Andrew,
Rankin Jean,
Sinclair Hazel,
Butcher Geraldine,
Smith Lesley,
Gordon Rhona,
Cochrane Lynda
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
birth
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.233
H-Index - 83
eISSN - 1523-536X
pISSN - 0730-7659
DOI - 10.1111/birt.12252
Subject(s) - medicine , pregnancy , social deprivation , alcohol consumption , demography , population , consumption (sociology) , maternal deprivation , environmental health , alcohol , social science , biochemistry , genetics , sociology , economics , biology , economic growth , chemistry
Background Alcohol‐related mortality and morbidity among women has increased over recent decades, especially in areas of higher deprivation. Pre‐pregnancy alcohol use is associated with continued consumption in pregnancy. We assessed whether general population alcohol consumption patterns were reflected among pregnant women in two Scottish areas with different deprivation levels. Methods Cross‐sectional study in two health boards ( HB 1, lower deprivation levels, n = 274; HB 2, higher deprivation levels, n = 236), using face‐to‐face 7‐day Retrospective Diary estimation of peri‐conceptual and mid‐pregnancy alcohol consumption. Results A greater proportion of women in HB 2 (higher deprivation area) sometimes drank peri‐conceptually, but women in HB 1 (lower deprivation area) were more likely to drink every week (49.6 vs 29.7%; p < 0.001) and to exceed daily limits (6 units) at least once each week (32.1 vs 14.8%; p < 0.001). After pregnancy recognition, consumption levels fell sharply, but women in HB 2 were more likely to drink above recommended daily limits (2 units) each week (2.5 vs 0.0%; p < 0.05). However, women in HB 1 were more likely to drink frequently. Women with the highest deprivation scores in each area drank on average less than women with the lowest deprivation scores. Conclusions Heavy episodic and frequent consumption was more common in the lower deprivation area, in contrast with general population data. Eliciting a detailed alcohol history at the antenatal booking visit, and not simply establishing whether the woman is currently drinking, is essential. Inconsistent messages about the effects of alcohol in pregnancy may have contributed to the mixed picture we found concerning peri‐conceptual and mid‐pregnancy alcohol consumption.