Individual and contextual variables associated with smoking and alcohol consumption during pregnancy

Abstract

Objective: to analyze the association between individual characteristics and housing context with smoking and alcohol consumption during pregnancy. Methods: a cross-sectional study with a probabilistic sample of 3,580 pregnant women who underwent prenatal care in the Unified Health System in 2019. The outcomes were firsthand, secondhand smoke and alcohol consumption during pregnancy. Individual characteristics and the living environment were used as exploratory variables. Results: living in a neighborhood with episodes of violence, without social cohesion and without urban elements that encourage physical activity was associated with smoking. Alcohol consumption during pregnancy was associated with living in environments that do not encourage physical activity. Smoking was also associated with lower income and education. Conclusions: individual characteristics and the living environment are associated with smoking, secondhand smoke and alcohol consumption during pregnancy.