Opinions of non-pregnant New Zealand women aged 16-40 years about the safety of alcohol consumption during pregnancy

• Published in: Drug and alcohol review 2009-03, Vol.28 (2), p.135-141
• Main Authors: PARACKAL, SHERLY M., PARACKAL, MATHEW K., HARRAWAY, JOHN A., FERGUSON, ELAINE L.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; alcohol; Alcohol consumption; Alcohol Drinking - adverse effects; Alcohol Drinking - psychology; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders - prevention & control; Health Behavior; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Health Surveys; Humans; Life Style; New Zealand; opinion; Pregnancy; Pregnant women; Reproductive Behavior; Risk Assessment; Safety; Surveys and Questionnaires; White People; Women; women of child-bearing age; Women's Health
• ISSN: 0959-5236; 1465-3362; 1465-3362
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1465-3362.2008.00018.x

Introduction and Aims. Premenopausal women's opinions on the safety of alcohol consumption during pregnancy are not well documented. This study aims to assess the opinions of New Zealand women on the safety of alcohol consumption in pregnancy and the sociodemographic and lifestyle factors associated with these opinions. Design and Methods. A nationwide, cross‐sectional survey was conducted in 2005 on a random sample of 1109 non‐pregnant women aged 16–40 years. Data were collected via an interviewer‐administered questionnaire using a web‐assisted telephone interviewing system. Results. Overall, 44% (95% confidence interval 41–47) of women surveyed were of the opinion that no alcohol is safe in pregnancy. Those who stated that no alcohol is safe in pregnancy were more likely to be of Pacific Island ethnicity (P