Alcohol use and self-perceived mental health status among pregnant and breastfeeding women in Canada: a secondary data analysis.
OBJECTIVE
To estimate the prevalence of alcohol consumption during pregnancy and while breastfeeding in Canada from 2003 to 2010, and to test the relation between self-perceived mental health status and alcohol consumption during pregnancy and while breastfeeding.


METHODS
Secondary analysis of four cycles of the Canadian Community Health Survey, a population-based cross-sectional survey.


METHODS
Canada.


METHODS
A total of 18 612 pregnant and 15 836 breastfeeding women.


METHODS
The prevalence of alcohol consumption during pregnancy and while breastfeeding and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated by province and territory, and cycle. The relation between self-perceived mental health status and alcohol consumption during pregnancy and while breastfeeding was explored using quasi-Poisson regression models.


METHODS
Alcohol consumption during pregnancy and while breastfeeding, and self-perceived mental health status.


RESULTS
In Canada, between 2003 and 2010, approximately one in every ten pregnant women (9.9%; 95%CI 9.2-10.5%) and two in every ten breastfeeding women (20.3%; 95%CI 19.4-21.2%) women consumed alcohol. Women with a lower self-perceived mental health status (i.e. 'good') were 1.40 (95%CI 1.18-1.67, P < 0.001) times more likely to have consumed alcohol during pregnancy, compared with women with an 'excellent' self-perceived mental health. There were no notable differences between the categories of mental health status in regard to alcohol consumption while breastfeeding.


CONCLUSIONS
Despite public health efforts in Canada, a significant proportion of pregnant and breastfeeding women consume alcohol. It is imperative that a standard screening protocol be initiated among pregnant and breastfeeding women, especially in high-risk populations (e.g. women utilising substance abuse treatment programs).


CONCLUSIONS
In Canada in 2003-2010, approximately 10% of pregnant and 20% of breastfeeding women consumed alcohol.
Social and Epidemiological Research Department, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada.|Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Faculty of Medicine, Toronto, ON, Canada.
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Lange
Institut de Santé Publique d'Épidémiologie et de Développement, l'Université Bordeaux Segalen, Bordeaux Cedex, France.
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Quere
Social and Epidemiological Research Department, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada.|Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Faculty of Medicine, Toronto, ON, Canada.
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Shield
Social and Epidemiological Research Department, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada.|Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Faculty of Medicine, Toronto, ON, Canada.|Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.|Epidemiological Research Unit, Klinische Psychologie and Psychotherapie, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
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Rehm
Social and Epidemiological Research Department, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada.|Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Faculty of Medicine, Toronto, ON, Canada.|Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.|Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, ON, Canada.
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Popova
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology*; D063425:Binge Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D059026:Diagnostic Self Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D015995:Prevalence; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D055815:Young Adult
Alcohol use; Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder; breastfeeding; mental health; pregnancy; prevalence