Use of a bogus pipeline method to increase accuracy of self-reported alcohol consumption among pregnant women.

Pregnant women (N = 220) attending urban maternity care clinics were randomly assigned to study groups to determine the effectiveness of a "bogus pipeline" method to increase the accuracy of behavioral self-reports of alcohol consumption. Results indicate a significant difference (p less than .025) between those who reported alcohol consumption and those who were told their behavioral self-report of alcohol consumption would be confirmed by a physiological test (bogus pipeline). Only 14% in the self-reported group said they currently used alcohol during pregnancy, whereas 27% in the bogus pipeline group reported consumption of alcohol during pregnancy. The results suggest that the use of the bogus pipeline may increase the accuracy of self-reported alcohol consumption data from a cohort of pregnant women.