Regional disparities and correlates of alcohol use during pregnancy in India: Insights from the National Family Health Survey‐5.

Introduction: Alcohol use during pregnancy is a significant public health concern due to its adverse outcomes for the mother and developing fetus. This study aims to estimate the national and state‐wise prevalence of alcohol use during pregnancy in India and examine associated social, demographic and health‐related correlates using data from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS‐5) conducted in 2019–2020. Methods: Data from NFHS‐5, a large‐scale, nationally representative survey, were analysed. The survey included comprehensive interviews with 724,115 women aged 15–49 years, covering all 28 states and 8 union territories of India. The main outcome was self‐reported alcohol use during the respondents' current or most recent pregnancy. Explanatory variables included age, economic status, education level, tribal affiliation, urban/rural residence, planned/unplanned pregnancy, adequacy of antenatal care and tobacco use. Statistical analyses included chi‐square tests for unadjusted comparisons and logistic regression for adjusted odds ratios (AOR). Results: The prevalence of alcohol use during pregnancy was 1.26% nationally, with significant regional variations. The highest prevalence rates were in Arunachal Pradesh (13.03%), Chhattisgarh (5.77%) and Assam (5.62%). Key correlates included belonging to Scheduled Tribes (AOR 7.987, 95% CI 5.73–11.134), having no education (AOR 1.733, 95% CI 1.025–2.931) and tobacco use (AOR 3.389, 95% CI 2.647–4.338). Regional analysis showed the highest adjusted odds for the Northeast (AOR 19.753, 95% CI 4.87–80.116) region. Discussion and Conclusions: Alcohol use during pregnancy in India shows significant regional and socio‐demographic disparities. The findings highlight the need for targeted public health interventions and policies, particularly in high‐risk groups and regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]