Factors influencing the intention to quit drinking alcohol among pregnant African American/Black women in San Bernardino and Riverside counties, California were investigated using the theory of planned behavior. Qualitative data were collected via focus groups from 22 pregnant women to ascertain behavioral outcomes, normative, and control beliefs associated with drinking during pregnancy. These data were used to develop a quantitative questionnaire. One hundred forty eight questionnaires were analyzed. Most of the women (86%) reported current alcohol use and 14% were former users. When adjusted for attenuation the correlation of intention with perceived control was .89, attitude .80, and subjective norm .77 all of which were statistically significant. The prediction of these three from their underlying beliefs provides insight into factors which may need to be changed to reduce alcohol use by pregnant African American/ Black women.
Mexican online pharmacy no prescription
Alcohol abuse is a major public health issue that has no socioeconomic, ethnic, educational, or geographic boundaries. It is a leading cause of morbidity, premature mortality, and loss of productivity (National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse [CASA], 2000). Alcohol consumption among women of childbearing age is of particular concern because of the potential consequences to the offspring. Alcohol use during pregnancy is associated with serious health consequences that can last well beyond the perinatal period. It has been linked to pregnancy complications, preterm delivery, stillbirth, neonatal death, neonatal withdrawal, sudden infant death syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS), Fetal Alcohol Effects (FAE), growth retardation, developmental delays, behavioral problems, anxiety disorders, and physical abnormalities (Cosden & Peerson, 1997; Gittler & McPherson, 1990; Hutchins, 1997; Ondersma, Simpson, Brestan, & Ward, 2000; Ostrea, Brady, Gause, Raymundo, & Stevens, 1992).

According to estimates by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Agency, SAMHSA (2002), approximately 45% of all childbearing age women and nearly 40% of African American women reported alcohol consumption in the month preceding the national SAMHSA survey on drug use and health. Data from the 2001 California health interview survey indicates that approximately 44% of African American women 18-45 in the Inland Empire (comprising the South Western areas of Riverside and San Bernardino counties) report drinking in the month prior to the survey, compared to 54% for the State. Vega, Noble, Kolody, Porter, Hwang, & Bole (1992) conducted a study designed to obtain an accurate estimate of the number of California infants prenatally exposed to alcohol and/or other drugs. The study utilized urine analysis of women in active labor to determine prenatal exposure. The overall State prevalence rate for alcohol use was 6.7%. The rate for African American/Black women was almost double the State prevalence rate at 11.6%. Since 1992 there has not been an equivalent study conducted in California. According to McMillan and Conner (2003) ten studies were conducted in the 1990’s that applied the theory of planned behavior to alcohol use. McMillan and Conner conducted a study to gain understanding about alcohol and tobacco use in college students. They reported that intentions were significantly correlated with attitude and perceived behavioral control. The authors reported that “attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control account for an average of 41% of the variance in intention to drink alcohol” (McMillan & Conner, 2003, p. 318). A study conducted by Johnston and White, 2003, used the theory of planned behavior to assess binge drinking in undergraduates. According to the authors, attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control were predictive of binge drinking intentions. Both studies provide further support for the efficacy of the theory of planned behavior in predicting behaviors associated with drinking.