Preventing Alcohol-Exposed Pregnancies

Project BALANCE
(Birth Control and ALcohol Awareness: Negotiating Choices Effectively)
Preventing Alcohol-Exposed Pregnancies in Adolescents

Many young women in the United States who drink alcohol and have unprotected sex are putting themselves at risk for an alcohol-exposed pregnancy. Not much is known about the relationship between moderate-to-heavy alcohol use, unprotected sex, and unplanned pregnancies in young women. Well-designed epidemiological and behavioral studies are needed to better understand and intervene with this population. The following project explored these issues.

Funded Project:
Virginia Commonwealth University—Richmond, Virginia
Project BALANCE consisted of (1) a brief epidemiologic survey, (2) focus groups, and (3) a randomized, controlled trial of a motivational intervention directed at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) college students from 18 to 24 years of age. The intervention was a modified form of Project CHOICES, a pre-conceptional, motivational intervention designed collaboratively with CDC and three institutions, of which VCU was one. Project BALANCE’s objectives were to identify the prevalence of risky drinking and contraceptive behaviors in this population, and to test the efficacy of an intervention in a randomized trial comparing a group receiving both assessment and one face-to-face session with a group receiving assessment only. A brief survey was administered to college women to identify those eligible for intervention and to further characterize the population. Focus groups with college women also explored qualitative issues related to drinking, contraception, and sexual behavior. The intervention focused both on drinking and unprotected sex, allowing a woman to modify either or both behaviors. Follow-up occurred at 1 month and 4 months.