Actual and predicted prevalence of alcohol consumption during pregnancy in the WHO African Region

Abstract

Abstractobjective To estimate the prevalence of alcohol consumption and binge drinking during pregnancy among the general population in the World Health Organization (WHO) African Region, by country.methods First, a comprehensive systematic literature search was performed to identify all published and unpublished studies. Then, several meta-analyses, assuming a random-effects model, were conducted to estimate the prevalence of alcohol consumption and binge drinking during pregnancy among the general population for countries in the WHO African Region with two or more studies available. Lastly, for countries with less than two studies or no known data predictions were obtained using regression modelling.results The estimated prevalence of alcohol consumption during pregnancy among the general population ranged from 2.2% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.6-2.8%; Equatorial Guinea) to 12.6% (95% CI: 9.9-15.4%; Cameroon) in Central Africa, 3.4% (95% CI: 2.6-4.3%; Seychelles) to 20.5% (95% CI: 16.4-24.7%; Uganda) in Eastern Africa, 5.7% (95% CI: 4.4-7.1%; Botswana) to 14.2% (95% CI: 11.1-17.3%; Namibia) in Southern Africa, 6.6% (95% CI: 5.0-8.3%; Mauritania) to 14.8% (95% CI: 11.6-17.9%; Sierra Leone) in Western Africa, and 4.3% (95% CI: 3.2-5.3%; Algeria) in Northern Africa.conclusions The high prevalence of alcohol consumption and binge drinking during pregnancy in some African countries calls for educational campaigns, screening and targeted interventions for women of childbearing age.

Maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy and child’s cognitive performance at 6–8 years of age in rural Burkina Faso: an observational study

“…(Martinez et al, 2011; WHO, 2014b; Popova et al, 2016a). Its cost is low compared to commercially-made alcoholic beverages in many parts of Africa (Mccall, 1996; Willis, 2002) and quantifying its amount is challenging because home brews are often consumed in containers of various sizes (Hahn et al, 2012; Thakarar et al, 2016).…”

“…Burkina Faso is a country in Africa where the use of alcohol is increasing among women; it has among the highest national proportion of women consuming alcohol in the continent, 30% (Martinez et al, 2011). In 2016, a systematic review highlighted that the predicted prevalence of any amount of alcohol consumption during pregnancy among the general population in Burkina Faso was 11.3% (Popova et al, 2016a). According to the WHO, the level of total alcohol consumption was 6.8 litres of pure alcohol per capita for adults above 15 years of age from 2008 to 2010 (WHO, 2014b).…”

Prevalence of Alcohol use during pregnancy and its association with partner alcohol use in East Africa: systematic review and meta-analysis

“…1). The current study was conducted by compiling studies done in different east African countries; Ethiopia (10, 11, 17, 19-22, 32, 33), Uganda (7,16), Tanzania (12,14,15), and Kenya (13,18). Fifteen cross-sectional studies and two case-control and one cohort study articles were used for the final analysis.…”

“…The prevalence of alcohol use (any amount) during pregnancy found to be higher in Africa countries including East Africa. From a compilation of the studies identified in Africa, the prevalence of alcohol use during pregnancy ranges from 2.5% to 37.9% (7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18). Different determinant factors are identified for maternal alcohol drinking and use disorder during pregnancy.…”

“…Of them the mostly reported predictors are previous pregnancy obstetric complication, prior alcohol use, maternal mental health problem, partner alcohol use, making local brews, unplanned pregnancy and mothers educational level were frequently reported (7,10,12,15,16,(19)(20)(21)(22)(23). Local and standard Alcoholic beverages are rampant in East Africa and individuals drink them irrespective of gender and pregnancy status (2,(24)(25)(26)(27)(28).…”