EVALUATION OF A SELF-HELP PROGRAM TO REDUCE ALCOHOL-CONSUMPTION AMONGPREGNANT-WOMEN

This study tested a cognitive-behavioral intervention for reducing alc ohol consumption among economically disadvantaged pregnant women. The intervention included a 10-minute educational session and a nine-step self-help manual. Women attending public health maternity clinics comp leted a screening questionnaire, a pretest questionnaire, were randoml y assigned to receive the self-help intervention or usual clinic care, and completed a posttest questionnaire. A higher alcohol quit rate wa s observed among the intervention participants (88%) than controls (69 %). The effect was strongest for ''light'' drinkers, African-Americans , and non-protestants. This approach may be useful in clinics where st aff time is limited.