Written information and health professionals are the information sources about alcohol use in pregnancy most often used by pregnant women

Abstract

Introduction: Alcohol use in pregnancy remains common in Australia, despite national guidelines recommending that pregnant women abstain. The aims of this study were to investigate where pregnant women obtain information about alcohol use in pregnancy and the relationship between the information source used and women's demographic characteristics and alcohol use.

Methods: In this cross-sectional survey of pregnant women attending public maternity services in the Hunter New England region (New South Wales), women were asked, 'Where did you get information to help you make decisions about alcohol use during pregnancy?'. The number and types of information sources were analysed using descriptive statistics. Associations between women's information sources, and their demographic characteristics and alcohol use in pregnancy were assessed using chi-square tests and logistic regression.

Results: Of 4511 pregnant women surveyed, 80.1% used at least one type of information source (range 0-5). Written/electronic information (45.4%), health providers (37.6%) and family/friends (19.5%) were the sources most reported. Higher use of written/electronic information, antenatal health providers and family/friends was associated with first pregnancy, younger age and higher education. The type of information source used was associated with alcohol use in pregnancy. Women who reported alcohol use were more likely to receive information from written/electronic sources. Almost 20% of women (older, multiparous [>1 pregnancy] and more highly educated) obtained no information regarding alcohol use in pregnancy.

Discussion and conclusions: Antenatal providers should routinely provide information on alcohol use in pregnancy, including for women least likely to access available information.

Keywords: alcohol consumption; antenatal care; consumer; health information; pregnancy.