The epidemiology of alcohol utilization during pregnancy: an analysis of the Canadian Maternity Experiences Survey (MES)

Abstract

BackgroundMaternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy may potentially constitute a major public health concern in Canada but despite this, the available epidemiological data on both rates and predictors of alcohol consumption during pregnancy is limited. The present study assessed the prevalence and predictors of maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy of women living in Canada from 2005-2006 who had a singleton live birth and whose child remained in their care 5-9 months following birth. Prevalence of maternal alcohol consumption was examined across the Canadian provinces.MethodsThe analysis was based on the Maternity Experience Survey (MES), a population-based survey that assessed pregnancy, delivery and postnatal experiences of mothers and their children between November 2005 and May 2006. The main outcome variable assessed was ever drinking alcohol during pregnancy. The sample of mothers who drank during pregnancy consisted mainly of low to moderate level-alcohol drinkers (95.8%), while only 1.7% of the sample were heavy drinkers (>1 drink per day). Socio-economic factors, demographic factors, maternal characteristics, and pregnancy related factors that proved to be significant at the bivariate level were considered for a logistic regression analysis. Bootstrapping was performed to account for the complex sampling design.ResultsAnalysis of 5882 mothers, weighted to represent 72,767 Canadian women, found that 10.8% of women drank alcohol at some point during their pregnancies. This mainly reflects prevalence of low to moderate maternal alcohol consumption. Prevalence of drinking alcohol during pregnancy was 13.8% in Eastern-Central provinces, 7.8% in Western Provinces-British Columbia, 4.1% in Eastern-Atlantic provinces and 4.0% in Western-Prairie Provinces. Utilizing alcohol during gestation was significantly associated with several important factors including marital status, smoking status, reaction to the pregnancy and immigrant status. While being an immigrant to Canada appeared to confer a protective effect, women who have partners (odds ratio (OR) = 2.00; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.20, 3.31) and smoked during pregnancy (OR = 1.54; 95% CI: 1.12, 1.87) were significantly more likely to drink alcohol during their pregnancies. Perhaps most importantly, pregnant women who reported indifference or being unhappy/very unhappy in regards to their pregnancies exhibited 1.89- and 2.5-fold increased risk of drinking alcohol during their pregnancies, respectively.ConclusionA number of important factors associated with maternal alcohol utilization during pregnancy have been identified, indicating areas where increased focus may serve to reduce maternal and pediatric morbidity and mortality.

Alcohol intake during pregnancy among parturients in southern Brazil

“…Moreover, these women have higherparity, which may give them a false sense of security about the outcome of their pregnancy, whereby they take on risk behaviours. 10,11 Women with brown skin colour have higher prevalence ratio for alcohol intake during pregnancy owing to their being more subject to worse living conditions than women with white skin colour, and this may increase the potential of their vulnerability to alcohol. 10,12,[19][20][21][22] …”

“…10.4% and 10.8%, respectively. 17,18 Although socio-economic and methodological differences prevent more in-depth comparison, it is evident that despite abstinence from alcohol during pregnancy being recommended, at least one in tenpregnant women uses this substance at some time during pregnancy. It is therefore a frequent problem occurring in countries/regions with great differences in relation to levels of economic development and population and cultural differences.…”

“…Furthermore, the use of different definitions and instruments to assess this outcome hinders result comparability. Studies assessing alcoholic drink intake during pregnancy report prevalence varying between 10.8% and 29.0%, [8][9][10][11] with most frequent intake among pregnant women aged over 30 years, 8,11 tobacco smokers, 10 illicit drug users, 10,12 women with depression13 and those having fewer prenatal care attendances. 11 In view of the risks to which fetuses and pregnant women are exposed,owing to alcohol intake during pregnancy, as well as the scarcity of studies on this subject in Brazil, the purpose of this paper is to assess alcohol intake prevalence and associated factors during pregnancy, as well as excessive intake and types of drink consumed during pregnancy, among parturient women in the municipality of Rio Grande-RS in the year 2013.…”

Consumo De Bebidas Alcoólicas Durante a Gravidez

“…Sugere que se continue a investigação nesta área agora numa abordagem qualitativa de modo a compreender os motivos que levam as mulheres a continuar a ingerir bebidas alcoólicas durante a gravidez. Walker, Al-Sahab, Islam, & Tamim, (2011) verificaram que 10,8% das mulheres consumiram bebidas alcoólicas em algum momento da gravidez e que esse consumo estava associado a fatores como gravidezes indesejadas, tabagismo, entre outros. O status de imigrante revelou-se protetor do consumo de álcool durante a gravidez.…”

Looking further upstream to prevent fetal alcohol spectrum disorder in Canada

“…8 Canadian women who are unhappy that they have become pregnant are 2.5 times more likely than their contented counterparts to consume alcohol during pregnancy; 9 women indifferent to their pregnancy are almost twice as likely to do so. 9 Looking further upstream to prevent fetal alcohol spectrum disorder in Canada Though access to birth control has improved in recent decades, it remains limited for those under 18, those living in poverty, and those living in northern, rural and remote locations. These women are also at higher risk of unintended pregnancy.…”