A recent study published in Alcohol, Clinical and Experimental Research has highlighted the effectiveness of a simple information sheet in preventing harms caused by prenatal alcohol exposure. The study found that women who reviewed a flyer with clear, concise information about alcohol use during pregnancy changed their attitudes and increased their understanding of the risks associated with drinking while pregnant.
It is estimated that 1 in 10 pregnancies globally are exposed to alcohol, putting the fetus at risk of various complications such as miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, and fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. The study focused on evaluating the impact of education in changing women’s knowledge and attitudes towards drinking during pregnancy.
Participants in the study, pregnant women in the United Kingdom, were asked to read a three-page informational leaflet discussing the health risks and guidance related to alcohol consumption during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Before and after reading the leaflet, participants completed questionnaires to assess their knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about drinking while pregnant, related health risks, and government guidance stating that no amount of alcohol use is safe during pregnancy.
The study found that the leaflet was effective in changing knowledge and attitudes about drinking during pregnancy among the participants. Before reading the leaflet, 85% of the women were aware of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder and the guidance on alcohol use during pregnancy, but only 40% felt that the guidance was widely known.
After reading the leaflet, participant knowledge increased overall, as well as on specific questions about prenatal alcohol exposure. Overall, participants viewed drinking during pregnancy more negatively after reading the leaflet. Those who were less knowledgeable about the risks and had more positive attitudes towards drinking during pregnancy, as well as those who reported alcohol use during their pregnancy, showed the most significant improvements in attitudes and knowledge.
The authors of the study emphasize the importance of making similar information readily available to people of childbearing age to reduce the risk of harms related to prenatal exposure to alcohol. They also stress the need for interventions targeting all women of childbearing age, not just those who are pregnant, to prevent unintentional prenatal alcohol exposure.
In conclusion, the study demonstrates that a brief, self-administered educational tool can be a cost-effective and easily implemented method to improve knowledge about the risks of prenatal alcohol exposure. It is crucial to ensure that any interventions do not contribute to self- or societal stigma, as this can also have negative consequences.
