Effects of Knowledge and Recognition of Alcohol Use during Pregnancy on Actual Alcohol Use during Pregnancy

PURPOSEThe purpose of this study was to explore the influence in a planned pregnancy of alcohol related family variables, knowledge and recognition of the effects of alcohol use during pregnancy on actual alcohol use during pregnancy. METHODSThe participants were 284 women who had experienced a pregnancy at some time in their lives. The data were collected from December 2011 to January 2012 and the method of data collection was self-report questionnaires. The instruments for this study were AUDIT-K, Knowledge of alcohol use during pregnancy, and Recognition of alcohol use during pregnancy. RESULTSThere were higher incidences of alcohol use during pregnancy when alcohol consumption was a problem, when there was a family member with an alcohol problem, or after having had an artificial abortion. There was no correlation in alcohol use during pregnancy with knowledge, but a correlation with recognition was found. CONCLUSIONThe results of this study suggest that the main factor in alcohol use during pregnancy is recognition of the effects of alcohol use during pregnancy.