Alcohol consumption by New Zealand women during pregnancy.

AIMS

Despite the known negative effects of alcohol consumption during pregnancy, there is little basic epidemiological information on this group of women. The present study aims to provide such information.

METHODS

The Plunket National Child Health Study is a longitudinal study of 4286 New Zealand children, based on an ethnically stratified and geographically representative random sample of children born between 2 July 1990 and 30 June 1991. The drinking habits of the mothers of these children are examined.

RESULTS

During pregnancy 41.6% of women consumed alcohol. Compared with abstainers, they tended to be older, have higher educational qualifications, lower parity, higher socioeconomic status and be European or Maori. Of those women who consumed alcohol, the frequency of consumption was rare (between one and three times in pregnancy) in 13.6% of cases, occasional (more than three times in pregnancy but less than weekly) in 67.7% of cases, and frequent (more than once a week) in 18.7% of cases. Those who frequently consumed were more likely to have higher socioeconomic status. For pregnant women in New Zealand, the sociodemography of those having high rates of alcohol consumption does not coincide with the sociodemography of those who have high rates of smoking.

CONCLUSIONS

Programmes aimed at reducing alcohol consumption during pregnancy should take account of the at-risk groups of women as identified above. In particular they should include women of higher socioeconomic status in their target groups.