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. 2017 Sep 26;14(1):120.
doi: 10.1186/s12978-017-0384-4.

Alcohol consumption among pregnant women in James Town Community, Accra, Ghana

Joanita Da Pilma Lekettey  1 , Phyllis Dako-Gyeke  2 , Samuel Agyei Agyemang  3 , Moses Aikins  4
Affiliations

Alcohol consumption among pregnant women in James Town Community, Accra, Ghana

Joanita Da Pilma Lekettey et al. Reprod Health. .

Abstract

Background: Alcohol consumption among pregnant women is a public health concern, considering its adverse outcomes for both mother and the developing foetus. This study examined factors that facilitate prenatal alcohol consumption, knowledge of adverse outcomes of prenatal alcohol exposure and alcohol expenditure among pregnant women in an urban community in Ghana.

Methods: In June 2014, a survey was conducted among 250 pregnant women sampled from James Town, an urban community in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews and descriptive statistics conducted. The prevalence of alcohol consumption among women was determined. Pearson chi-square was used to determine associations between variables where necessary.

Results: Fifty-four percent of the pregnant women were aged 20 - 29 years. Seventy-three percent reported that they have ever consumed an alcoholic beverage before pregnancy. Of these, 77% take alcohol "once a while" and 48% reported taking alcohol during pregnancy. Most of the pregnant women (53%) who currently consume alcoholic beverages had it from friends, and their main reason for prenatal alcohol consumption was socialization (39%). Majority of both current alcohol drinkers (78%) and non-current alcohol drinkers (74%) were aware that prenatal alcohol consumption can lead to spontaneous abortion. Additionally, current alcohol drinkers spend averagely GHS 4.54 (SD 4.63) on their favourite alcoholic drink and overall, also spend averagely GHS 4.63 (SD 4.82) on their entire alcoholic beverage weekly. Over two-thirds (63%) of women reported monthly average income of less than GHS200.

Conclusion: This study shows high prenatal alcohol consumption in James Town, Accra, despite pregnant women's knowledge of its adverse effects on the developing foetus. Alcohol is usually sourced from friends with socialization noted as a major reason for prenatal alcohol consumption. These results could be used to inform future health advocacies and policies on prenatal alcohol exposure and maternal and child health interventions in the country.

Keywords: Alcohol consumption; Alcohol users; Alcoholic beverage; Ghana; Pregnant women.

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Conflict of interest statement

Ethics approval and consent to participate

Ethical approval for the study was obtained from the Ghana Health Service Ethics Review Board with the Ethics Approval Certificate Identification number (GHS-ERC: 53/04/14). Permission was also given by the Health Administration of Ashiedu Keteke Sub Metro. The purpose of the study was explained to respondents and their written consent was given.

Consent for publication

Not applicable.

Competing interests

The authors declare that they have no competing interest.

Publisher’s Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Perceived adverse effects of pre-natal alcohol consumption
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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