Inconsistent report of pre-pregnancy-recognition alcohol use by Latinas.
OBJECTIVE
This study compared pregnant Latinas' report of alcohol use for the 3-month period before pregnancy recognition with two different methods of data collection, in an attempt to identify opportunities for improved screening.


METHODS
Data were collected for 53 pregnant Latinas who have ever drunk alcohol and who were receiving services at Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) clinics in San Diego, California. This study compared alcohol use reported during in-depth research interviews conducted in homes, to responses to an alcohol screening question administered by WIC staff.


RESULTS
Latinas were more likely to report alcohol use for the 3-month period before pregnancy recognition at the in-depth home interview than their reported date of last drink to the WIC clinic would indicate (70% vs. 15%, respectively). Of importance, 57% of home interview reports that were positive for pre-pregnancy-recognition alcohol use would not have been identified by their reported date of last drink to the WIC screening question. Younger age, higher income, and earlier recognition of pregnancy were associated with under-reporting of pre-pregnancy-recognition alcohol use.


CONCLUSIONS
Reporting of pre-pregnancy-recognition alcohol use may be influenced by the circumstances and scope of the screening questions employed, and varies by respondent's characteristics. Asking about pre-pregnancy-recognition alcohol use, i.e., alcohol consumed before pregnancy is recognized, may improve identification of low-income pregnant Latinas who may benefit from targeted intervention services.
Hughes
Suzanne C
SC
Center for Behavioral Epidemiology and Community Health, San Diego State University, 9245 Sky Park Court, Suite 230, San Diego, CA 92123, USA. shughes@projects.sdsu.edu
Chambers
Christina D
CD
Kassem
Nada
N
Wahlgren
Dennis R
DR
Larson
Sarah
S
Riley
Edward P
EP
Hovell
Melbourne F
MF
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002140:California / Q000208:ethnology; D005260:Female; D063647:Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D011203:Poverty / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016742:Preconception Care; D011247:Pregnancy; D012307:Risk Factors; D012650:Self Disclosure; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult