ASSESSMENT OF QUANTITY AND FREQUENCY OF ALCOHOL USE
The first step in prevention of an alcohol-exposed pregnancy is to ask the woman about her consumption behavior.
Following are methods used to establish both consumption patterns and alcohol risk status.
Quantitative methods and screening tools should be used in conjunction to increase the accuracy of self-report.
Quantity-frequency measures (QF) inquire about average or typical consumption patterns. The simplest measures
assess amount of drinking on average drinking days (Q), and the average number of days on which alcohol is
consumed (F). It is also recommended to ask women about maximum intake on any drinking occasion to assess
for binge drinking patterns. It is important to ask women about the time before they knew they were
pregnant and current alcohol use after finding out they were pregnant. Prior to pregnancy recognition
responses are most predictive of physical and developmental outcomes.13
NIAAA guidelines suggest that
non pregnant women drink no more than 7 drinks per week or 4 drinks per drinking occasion.
For pregnant women, a binge of 3 or more drinks is significant and they should be advised not
to drink any alcohol during pregnancy.
Here is a PDF version of a sample interview.
SAMPLE INTERVIEW FOR QUANTITY AND FREQUENCY (QF) OF ALCOHOL USE
Initial Questions
How many weeks pregnant are you now?
How many weeks pregnant were you when you found out you were pregnant?
How many cups of caffeinated coffee or soft drinks do you drink daily? If the woman does not drink
coffee daily, then ask: How often do you drink caffeinated drinks? Almost every day, 3-4 days a week,
1-2 days a week, 2-3 days a month, once a month, less than once a month, only on weekends?
Preliminary Questions On Alcohol Use
Have you ever drunk wine, beer, or mixed drinks? This will let you know if the woman is abstinent or a drinker.
If she says she never drank, you job is done. If she says that she has drunk alcohol in the past then go on with the interview.
The majority of women drink alcohol before they know that they are pregnant. This is true, between 75% (young women) and 54% of
women of child bearing age drink alcohol. This statement can reduce defensiveness.
What type of alcoholic beverage do you prefer - wine, beer, wine coolers, or drinks containing liquor? This question allows
you to estimate the amount of absolute alcohol consumed. The size of the drinking container should also be asked in order
to better gauge consumption levels. Keep in mind that malt liquors have higher concentration of alcohol than regular beers
(8% as opposed to 4% for beer). Wine coolers have the same amount of alcohol as one 12-ounce can of beer.
Click on how to compute a standard drink.
Quantity And Frequency Questions (Prior To Pregnancy Recognition)
Before you knew you were pregnant, on average, what was the number of drinks that you would typically drink at one sitting?
During the time period before you knew you were pregnant, how often did you drink this amount? If the woman does not come up
with an answer, you can suggest -- daily, almost every day, 3-4 days a week, 1-2 days a week, 2-3 days a month, once a month,
less than once a month.
Before you knew you were pregnant, what were the most drinks that you drank at any one sitting? For example at a celebration
like a birthday party or wedding. This question gets at binge episodes. A binge of 3 drinks or more is considered high risk for the fetus.
During this time period before you knew you were pregnant, how often did you drink this amount? If the woman does not come up
with an answer, you can suggest -- daily, almost every day, 3-4 days a week, 1-2 days a week, 2-3 days a month, once a month,
less than once a month.
Quantity And Frequency Questions (Following Pregnancy Recognition)
Right now, on average, what is the number of drinks that you typically drink at one sitting? This gives you information on the
woman's current drinking without reminding her that she is continuing to drink after she found out she was pregnant.
How often do you drink this amount? If she does not come up with an answer, you can suggest -- daily, almost every day, 3-4 days a
week, 1-2 days a week, 2-3 days a month, once a month, less than once a month, only on weekends.
Right now, what is the most number of drinks that you drink at one sitting? This question gets at current binge drinking.
How often do you drink this amount? If she does not come up with an answer, you can suggest -- daily, almost every day, 3-4 days a
week, 1-2 days a week, 2-3 days a month, once a month, less than once a month, only on weekends.
VIEW AN EXAMPLE OF THIS PORTION OF AN INTERVIEW
Polina reports that prior to pregnancy recognition, she was drinking 2-3 bottles of Colt 45 (Q) two times a week (F).
Exercise: Compute Polina's alcohol consumption level (number of standard drinks) prior to pregnancy recognition.
Answer: click here to view answer
Polina reports that now that she knows she is pregnant, she drinks 1-2 bottles of Colt 45 (Q) two times a week on weekends (F)
Exercise: Compute Polina's current alcohol consumption level (number of standard drinks)
Answer: click here to view answer
Polina reports that during a birthday party she drank 2 Colt 45s and 3 Long Island Ice Teas.
Exercise: Compute Polina's maximum alcohol consumption level (number of standard drinks)
Answer: click here to view answer
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