Question

Review Table 1 below and then complete the Module Six Worksheet steps.

Note: the chi-square (c2) test is covered in Module Seven.

Table 1: Characteristics of Women According to Intake of Alcohol

Variable Nondrinker* Drinker* Test Statistic** P value
Mean age of mother at birth (years) 28.2 + 4.4 30.1 + 4.4 19.16 <.0001
% of mothers with education > 12 years 71.1% 77.6% 226.9 <.0001
% of mothers who smoked during pregnancy 7.5% 12.0% 100.7 <.0001
Prepregnancy BMI (kg/m2) 23.8 + 4.6 23.7 + 4.3 0.8 0.469

Note: intake of alcohol was during pregnancy except for prepregnancy BMI comparison where drinking status was also prepregnancy.

*Continuous variables presented by mean + standard deviation, categorical variables as %

** Test statistic is either a c2 value or a t-value

Answer 1

The characteristics of women based on alcohol intake during pregnancy show significant differences in mean age, education, and smoking behavior. However, there is no significant difference in prepregnancy BMI between nondrinkers and drinkers.

The table presents characteristics of women based on their alcohol intake during pregnancy. The variables include mean age at birth, percentage of mothers with education > 12 years, percentage of mothers who smoked during pregnancy, and prepregnancy BMI. The data is presented for nondrinkers and drinkers, and the test statistics (either chi-square or t-value) along with p-values are provided to assess the significance of differences between the two groups.

1. **Mean Age of Mother at Birth:**

- Nondrinkers: Mean age 28.2 ± 4.4 years

- Drinkers: Mean age 30.1 ± 4.4 years

- Test statistic: 19.16, p < .0001

- There is a statistically significant difference in the mean age of mothers at birth between nondrinkers and drinkers.

2. **% of Mothers with Education > 12 Years:**

- Nondrinkers: 71.1%

- Drinkers: 77.6%

- Test statistic: 226.9, p < .0001

- There is a significant difference in the percentage of mothers with education > 12 years between nondrinkers and drinkers.

3. **% of Mothers Who Smoked During Pregnancy:**

- Nondrinkers: 7.5%

- Drinkers: 12.0%

- Test statistic: 100.7, p < .0001

- There is a significant difference in the percentage of mothers who smoked during pregnancy between nondrinkers and drinkers.

4. **Prepregnancy BMI:**

- Nondrinkers: Mean BMI 23.8 ± 4.6 kg/m²

- Drinkers: Mean BMI 23.7 ± 4.3 kg/m²

- Test statistic: 0.8, p = 0.469

- No significant difference in prepregnancy BMI between nondrinkers and drinkers.

Overall, alcohol intake during pregnancy is associated with significant differences in age, education, and smoking behavior, but not in prepregnancy BMI.