The epidemiology of alcohol utilization during pregnancy: an analysis of the Canadian Maternity Experiences Survey (MES)
Abstract
Maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy may potentially constitute a major public health concern in Canada. 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. The analysis shows that 10.8% of women drank alcohol at some point during their pregnancies. Drinking alcohol during pregnancy 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 (immigrants were less likely to consume alcohol during pregnancy than Canadian women), women who have partners and smoked during pregnancy 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 an increased risk of drinking alcohol during their pregnancies.
Notes
Key recommendations
NA
Key populations
Pregnant women
Key findings
In the present study, drinking alcohol during pregnancy was reported to be 10.8%.
Women who are residents of Eastern Central or Western provinces, women with partners, women who smoke and women who have indifferent or unhappy reaction to their pregnancies had increased likelihood of using alcohol during their pregnancy.
Being an immigrant appeared to have a protective effect, with women who were immigrants demonstrating decreased likelihood of using alcohol during their pregnancies.
Gaps identified
Limited data on rates and predictors of alcohol consumption during pregnancy
Community organizations
Public Health Agency of Canada
Location
Across Canada
Integration timeline
At what point during the integration process the study was conducted?
NA
Open-access – Yes
https://bmcpregnancychildbirth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1471-2393-11-52