Skip to main content
Key Specialties
Cardiology Diabetology Endocrinology Gastroenterology Geriatrics and Gerontology Gynecology and Obstetrics Hematology Infectious Disease Internal Medicine Nephrology Neurology Oncology Pediatrics Respiratory Medicine Rheumatology Surgery
Congress Coverage
2024 ACC Congress 2023 ESMO Congress 2023 EASD Congress 2023 ERS Congress 2023 ESC Congress
Clinical Collections
Advances in Alzheimer’s

At a glance: The STEP trials

A round-up of the STEP phase 3 clinical trials evaluating semaglutide for weight loss in people with overweight or obesity.
ADVANCED SEARCH
Log in
Top
BMC Public Health
Published in: BMC Public Health 1/2011

Open Access 01-12-2011 | Research article

Attitudes and behaviour predict women's intention to drink alcohol during pregnancy: the challenge for health professionals

Authors: Elizabeth Peadon, Janet Payne, Nadine Henley, Heather D'Antoine, Anne Bartu, Colleen O'Leary, Carol Bower, Elizabeth J Elliott

Published in: BMC Public Health | Issue 1/2011

Login to get access

Abstract

Background

To explore women's alcohol consumption in pregnancy, and potential predictors of alcohol consumption in pregnancy including: demographic characteristics; and women's knowledge and attitudes regarding alcohol consumption in pregnancy and its effects on the fetus.

Methods

We conducted a national cross-sectional survey via computer assisted telephone interview of 1103 Australian women aged 18 to 45 years. Participants were randomly selected from the Electronic White Pages. Pregnant women were not eligible to participate. Quotas were set for age groups and a minimum of 100 participants per state to ensure a national sample reflecting the population. The questionnaire was based on a Health Canada survey with additional questions constructed by the investigators. Descriptive statistics were calculated and logistic regression analyses were used to assess associations of alcohol consumption in pregnancy with participants' characteristics, knowledge and attitudes.

Results

The majority of women (89.4%) had consumed alcohol in the last 12 months. During their last pregnancy (n = 700), 34.1% drank alcohol. When asked what they would do if planning a pregnancy (n = 1103), 31.6% said they would consume alcohol and 4.8% would smoke. Intention to consume alcohol in a future pregnancy was associated with: alcohol use in the last pregnancy (adjusted OR (aOR) 43.9; 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 27.0 to 71.4); neutral or positive attitudes towards alcohol use in pregnancy (aOR 5.1; 95% CI 3.6 to 7.1); intention to smoke in a future pregnancy (aOR 4.7; 95% CI 2.5 to 9.0); and more frequent and higher current alcohol consumption.

Conclusions

Women's past pregnancy and current drinking behaviour, and attitudes to alcohol use in pregnancy were the strongest predictors of alcohol consumption in pregnancy. Targeted interventions for women at higher risk of alcohol consumption in pregnancy are needed to change women's risk perception and behaviour.
Appendix
Available only for authorised users
Literature
1.
Jones KL: From recognition to responsibility: Josef Warkany, David Smith, and the fetal alcohol syndrome in the 21st century. Birth Defects Res A Clin MolTeratol. 2003, 67 (1): 13-20. 10.1002/bdra.10023.CrossRef
2.
Jones KL, Smith DW: Recognition of the fetal alcohol syndrome in early infancy. Lancet. 1973, 302 (7836): 999-1001. 10.1016/S0140-6736(73)91092-1.CrossRefPubMed
3.
Burd L, Roberts D, Olson M, Odendaal H: Ethanol and the placenta: a review. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med. 2007, 20 (5): 361-375. 10.1080/14767050701298365.CrossRefPubMed
4.
Peadon E, O'Leary C, Bower C, Elliott E: Impacts of alcohol use in pregnancy--the role of the GP. Aust Fam Physician. 2007, 36 (11): 935-939.PubMed
5.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Office of Applied Studies: Results from the 2007 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: National Findings (NSDUH Series H-34, DHHS Publication No. SMA 08-4343). 2008, Rockville, MD: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Office of Applied Studies
6.
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare: 2004 National Drug Strategy Household Survey: Detailed Findings. AIHW cat. no. PHE 66. 2005, Canberra: AIHW
7.
Health Canada: Canadian Addiction Survey, A National Survey of Canadians' Use of Alcohol and Other Drugs: Focus on Gender. 2008, Ottawa: Health Canada
8.
Office for National Statistics: Drinking: adults' behaviour and knowledge in 2008. 2009, Newport, UK: Office for National Statistics
9.
Jonas HA, Dobson AJ, Brown WJ: Patterns of alcohol consumption in young Australian women: socio-demographic factors, health-related behaviours and physical health. Aust N Z J Public Health. 2000, 24 (2): 185-191. 10.1111/j.1467-842X.2000.tb00140.x.CrossRefPubMed
10.
White V, Hayman J: Australian secondary school students' use of alcohol in 2005. 2006, Canberra: Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing
11.
Eaton DK, Kann L, Kinchen S, Shanklin S, Ross J, Hawkins J, Harris WA, Lowry R, McManus T, Chyen D, et al: Youth risk behavior surveillance - United States, 2009. MMWR Surveill Summ. 2010, 59 (5): 1-142.PubMed
12.
Flanigan B, McLean A, Hall C, Propp V: Alcohol use as a situational influence on young women's pregnancy risk-taking behaviors. Adolescence. 1990, 25 (97): 205-214.PubMed
13.
Walker DS, Fisher CS, Sherman A, Wybrecht B, Kyndely K: Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders prevention: an exploratory study of women's use of, attitudes toward, and knowledge about alcohol. J Am Acad Nurse Pract. 2005, 17 (5): 187-193. 10.1111/j.1745-7599.2005.0031.x.CrossRefPubMed
14.
Colvin L, Payne J, Parsons D, Kurinczuk JJ, Bower C: Alcohol consumption during pregnancy in nonindigenous west Australian women. Alcohol Clin Exp Res. 2007, 31 (2): 276-284. 10.1111/j.1530-0277.2006.00303.x.CrossRefPubMed
15.
Floyd RL, Decoufle P, Hungerford DW: Alcohol use prior to pregnancy recognition. Am J Prev Med. 1999, 17 (2): 101-107. 10.1016/S0749-3797(99)00059-8.CrossRefPubMed
16.
Bobo JK, Klepinger DH, Dong FB: Changes in the prevalence of alcohol use during pregnancy among recent and at-risk drinkers in the NLSY cohort. J Womens Health. 2006, 15 (9): 1061-1070. 10.1089/jwh.2006.15.1061.CrossRef
17.
Day NL, Cottreau CM, Richardson GA: The epidemiology of alcohol, marijuana, and cocaine use among women of childbearing age and pregnant women. Clin Obstet Gynecol. 1993, 36 (2): 232-245. 10.1097/00003081-199306000-00005.CrossRefPubMed
18.
Chambers CD, Hughes S, Meltzer SB, Wahlgren D, Kassem N, Larson S, Riley EP, Hovell MF: Alcohol consumption among low-income pregnant Latinas. Alcohol Clin Exp Res. 2005, 29 (11): 2022-2028. 10.1097/01.alc.0000187160.18672.f9.CrossRefPubMed
19.
Meillier LK, Lund AB, Kok G: Cues to action in the process of changing lifestyle. Patient Educ Couns. 1997, 30 (1): 37-51. 10.1016/S0738-3991(96)00957-3.CrossRefPubMed
20.
Egger G, Spark R, Lawson J: Health promotion strategies and methods. 2004, Sydney, Australia: McGraw-Hill Book Company
21.
22.
23.
Peadon E, Payne J, Henley N, D'Antoine H, Bartu A, O'Leary C, Bower C, Elliott EJ: Women's knowledge and attitudes regarding alcohol consumption in pregnancy: a national survey. BMC Public Health. 2010, 10: 510-10.1186/1471-2458-10-510.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
24.
Environics Research Group: Alcohol use during pregnancy and awareness of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. 2006, Toronto, Canada
25.
Public Health Agency of Canada: What we have learned: key Canadian FASD awareness campaigns. 2006, Ottawa, Canada: Health Canada
26.
Tsai J, Floyd RL, Green PP, Boyle CA: Patterns and average volume of alcohol use among women of childbearing age. Matern Child Health J. 2007, 11 (5): 437-445. 10.1007/s10995-007-0185-4.CrossRefPubMed
27.
Ethen MK, Ramadhani TA, Scheuerle AE, Canfield MA, Wyszynski DF, Druschel CM, Romitti PA: Alcohol consumption by women before and during pregnancy. Matern Child Health J. 2009, 13 (2): 274-285. 10.1007/s10995-008-0328-2.CrossRefPubMed
28.
Tough S, Tofflemire K, Clarke M, Newburn-Cook C: Do women change their drinking behaviors while trying to conceive? An opportunity for preconception counseling. Clin Med Res. 2006, 4 (2): 97-105. 10.3121/cmr.4.2.97.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
29.
Henderson J, Gray R, Brocklehurst P: Systematic review of effects of low-moderate prenatal alcohol exposure on pregnancy outcome. BJOG : an international journal of obstetrics and gynaecology. 2007, 114 (3): 243-252. 10.1111/j.1471-0528.2006.01163.x.CrossRef
30.
Kypri K, Langley JD, McGee R, Saunders JB, Williams S: High prevalence, persistent hazardous drinking among New Zealand tertiary students. Alcohol Alcohol. 2002, 37 (5): 457-464.CrossRefPubMed
31.
Olsen J: Predictors of smoking cessation in pregnancy. Scand J Soc Med. 1993, 21 (3): 197-202.PubMed
32.
Chang G, McNamara TK, Orav EJ, Wilkins-Haug L: Alcohol use by pregnant women: partners, knowledge, and other predictors. J Stud Alcohol. 2006, 67 (2): 245-251.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
33.
Del Boca FK, Darkes J: The validity of self-reports of alcohol consumption: state of the science and challenges for research. Addiction. 2003, 98 (Suppl 2): 1-12.CrossRefPubMed
34.
Ekholm O: Influence of the recall period on self-reported alcohol intake. EurJ Clin Nutr. 2004, 58 (1): 60-63. 10.1038/sj.ejcn.1601746.CrossRef
35.
Ernhart CB, Morrow-Tlucak M, Sokol RJ, Martier S: Underreporting of alcohol use in pregnancy. Alcohol Clin Exp Res. 1988, 12 (4): 506-511. 10.1111/j.1530-0277.1988.tb00233.x.CrossRefPubMed
36.
Alvik A, Haldorsen T, Groholt B, Lindemann R: Alcohol consumption before and during pregnancy comparing concurrent and retrospective reports. Alcohol Clin Exp Res. 2006, 30 (3): 510-515. 10.1111/j.1530-0277.2006.00055.x.CrossRefPubMed
37.
Zammit SL, Skouteris H, Wertheim EH, Paxton SJ, Milgrom J: Pregnant women's alcohol consumption: the predictive utility of intention to drink and prepregnancy drinking behavior. J Womens Health. 2008, 17 (9): 1513-1522. 10.1089/jwh.2007.0595.CrossRef
38.
39.
Wilson DH, Starr GJ, Taylor AW, Dal Grande E: Random digit dialling and Electronic White Pages samples compared: demographic profiles and health estimates. Aust N Z J Public Health. 1999, 23 (6): 627-633. 10.1111/j.1467-842X.1999.tb01549.x.CrossRefPubMed
40.
National Health and Medical Research Council: Australian alcohol guidelines: health risks and benefits. 2001, Canberra, Australia: Commonwealth of Australia
41.
Elliott EJ, Payne J, Haan E, Bower C: Diagnosis of foetal alcohol syndrome and alcohol use in pregnancy: A survey of paediatricians' knowledge, attitudes and practice. J Paediatr Child Health. 2006, 42 (11): 698-703. 10.1111/j.1440-1754.2006.00954.x.CrossRefPubMed
42.
Payne J, Elliott E, D'Antoine H, O'Leary C, Mahony A, Haan E, Bower C: Health professionals' knowledge, practice and opinions about fetal alcohol syndrome and alcohol consumption in pregnancy. Aust N Z J Public Health. 2005, 29 (6): 558-564. 10.1111/j.1467-842X.2005.tb00251.x.CrossRefPubMed
43.
National Health and Medical Research Council: Australian guidelines to reduce health risks from drinking alcohol. 2009, Canberra, Australia: Commonwealth of Australia
44.
Testa M, Reifman A: Individual differences in perceived riskiness of drinking in pregnancy: antecedents and consequences. J Stud Alcohol. 1996, 57 (4): 360-367.CrossRefPubMed
Metadata
Title
Attitudes and behaviour predict women's intention to drink alcohol during pregnancy: the challenge for health professionals
Authors
Elizabeth Peadon
Janet Payne
Nadine Henley
Heather D'Antoine
Anne Bartu
Colleen O'Leary
Carol Bower
Elizabeth J Elliott
Publication date
01-12-2011
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Public Health / Issue 1/2011
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2458
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-11-584

Other articles of this Issue 1/2011

BMC Public Health 1/2011 Go to the issue

Research article

Evaluation of a social marketing intervention promoting oral rehydration salts in Burundi

Research article

Helping boys at-risk of criminal activity: qualitative results of a multi-component intervention

Research article

Factors associated with chemical burns in Zhejiang province, China: An epidemiological study

Research article

Diet and mortality rates in Sub-Saharan Africa: Stages in the nutrition transition

Research article

Does improving maternal knowledge of vaccines impact infant immunization rates? A community-based randomized-controlled trial in Karachi, Pakistan

Research article

The burden of physical activity on type 2 diabetes public healthcare expenditures among adults: a retrospective study