Abstract
Background
Although single-country studies indicate alcohol consumption among some pregnant European
women, it is difficult to interpret European differences. Few multinational studies
exist using the same methodology.
Aim
To estimate the proportion of women consuming alcohol during pregnancy in Europe,
and to analyze whether between country variations could be explained by sociodemography
and smoking.
Methods
An anonymous online questionnaire was accessible for pregnant women and new mothers
in 11 European countries during two months between October 2011 and February 2012
in each country. The questionnaire covered alcohol consumption, sociodemographic factors,
and smoking habits during pregnancy. Descriptive analyses and logistic regression
models were conducted.
Findings
The study population consisted of 7905 women, 53.1% pregnant and 46.9% new mothers.
On average, 15.8% reported alcohol consumption during pregnancy. The highest proportion
of alcohol consumption during pregnancy was found in the UK (28.5%), Russia (26.5%),
and Switzerland (20.9%) and the lowest in Norway (4.1%), Sweden (7.2%), and Poland
(9.7%). When reporting alcohol consumption during pregnancy, 39% consumed at least
one unit per month. In Italy, Switzerland, and the UK, over half consumed at least
one alcohol unit per month. Higher education and smoking before pregnancy were predictors
of alcohol consumption during pregnancy.
Conclusions
Almost 16% of women resident in Europe consumed alcohol during pregnancy with large
cross-country variations. Education and smoking prior to pregnancy could not fully
explain the differences between the European countries. A united European strategy
to prevent alcohol consumption during pregnancy is needed with focus on countries
with the highest consumption.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: January 19, 2017
Accepted:
January 3,
2017
Received in revised form:
January 2,
2017
Received:
March 18,
2016
Identification
Copyright
© 2017 Australian College of Midwives. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
