Peri-Conceptual and Mid-Pregnancy Alcohol Consumption: A Comparison between Areas of High and Low Deprivation in Scotland.
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.



Cross-sectional study in two health boards (HB1, lower deprivation levels, n = 274; HB2, higher deprivation levels, n = 236), using face-to-face 7-day Retrospective Diary estimation of peri-conceptual and mid-pregnancy alcohol consumption.



A greater proportion of women in HB2 (higher deprivation area) sometimes drank peri-conceptually, but women in HB1 (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 HB2 were more likely to drink above recommended daily limits (2 units) each week (2.5 vs 0.0%; p < 0.05). However, women in HB1 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.



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.
Mother and Infant Research Unit, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK.
Andrew
A
Symon
School of Health, Nursing and Midwifery, University of the West of Scotland, Paisley, UK.
Jean
J
Rankin
NHS Fife, Victoria Hospital, Kirkcaldy, UK.
Hazel
H
Sinclair
NHS Ayrshire and Arran, Crosshouse Hospital, Kilmarnock, UK.
Geraldine
G
Butcher
Department of Psychology, Social Work & Public Health, Oxford Brookes University, Marston, UK.
Lesley
L
Smith
School of Nursing & Health Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK.
Rhona
R
Gordon
Clinical Statistics Consultants, Dundee, UK.
Lynda
L
Cochrane
D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003467:Cultural Deprivation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D047489:Preconception Injuries; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012606:Scotland / Q000453:epidemiology; D057566:Self Report; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors
alcohol; deprivation; pregnancy; screening; teratogenesis