Women are at risk for alcohol-exposed pregnancy (AEP) when they drink at risky levels and have unprotected intercourse. Although predictors for alcohol abuse have been defined, AEP has received little attention. Thus, samples of women aged 18-44 in Florida, Texas, and Virginia were interviewed in 2 primary care clinics, an urban gynecology clinic, an urban jail, 2 residential substance abuse use treatment programs, and community (media recruitment). Sample size varied across settings, n=415-506, (total=2,669, response rate=83%); 62% were African American, 21% Caucasian, and 8% Hispanic. Overall, 71% drank in the previous 6 months, 31% reporting >1 binge (>4 drinks in a day) and 25%, frequent drinking (>7 drinks in a week). Those not at risk for unplanned pregnancy included 28% with tubal ligation, 25% contracepting consistently and correctly, 7% planning pregnancy, 6% pregnant, and 4% with hysterectomy, other. 20% did not contracept consistently, correctly, or at all. Overall, 12% reported both risky drinking and inadequate birth control, 22% in the jail and treatment facilities (before going there); 7% in the other settings. Multivariate analyses, controlling for fertility status, found 6 predictors in higher risk settings - age >24 (OR=x.x), non-black (OR=x.x), recent abuse (OR=2.9), drug use (OR=2.3), previous psychological treatment (OR=1.7), smoking (OR=1.6), cohabiting (OR=1.6); in lower risk settings, drug use (OR=4.3), recent abuse (OR=2.9), previous substance abuse treatment (OR=1.6) and smoking (OR=1.6). Traditional risk factors for alcohol abuse may also reflect risk for inadequate contraception by women who say they are not planning to get pregnant.
Learning Objectives: By the end of this talk, participants will be able to identify normative behavioral risks including drinking, drug use, psychological distress, attitudes, and inadequate contraception, among women in 6 special settings.
Keywords: Alcohol Use, Contraception
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
Disclosure not received
Relationship: Not Received.