Consumption of Alcoholic Beverages Among Pregnant Urban Ugandan Women

Abstract

Objectives-The World Health Organization estimated alcohol consumption in Uganda to be one of the highest in the world. We examined alcohol consumption among Ugandan women prior to and after learning of pregnancy. We developed a screening algorithm using factors that predicted alcohol consumption in this study.Methods-In 2006, we surveyed 610 women attending antenatal care at the national referral hospital in Kampala, Uganda about consumption of traditional and commercial alcoholic beverages before and after learning of pregnancy. Predictors of alcohol consumption during pregnancy were examined and a practical screening algorithm was developed for use in antenatal clinics.Results-One hundred eighty women (30%) drank alcohol at least monthly before learning of their pregnancy. Among these women, almost one-third reported usual consumption of at least one beverage type at quantities that equal binging levels for women. Overall, 151 women (25%) consumed alcohol after learning of pregnancy. Commercial beverages, particularly beer, were consumed more often than traditional drinks. A two-stage screening algorithm asking women about their religion, male partner or friends' drinking, and any lifetime drinking predicted selfreported consumption of alcohol during pregnancy with 97% sensitivity and 89% specificity.Conclusions-Alcohol consumption among pregnant Ugandan women attending antenatal care is high. A feasible screening algorithm can help providers target education and counseling to women who are likely drinking during pregnancy. Given the preference for commercial alcoholic beverages, it is recommended that labels be placed prominently on bottled alcoholic beverages warning of the adverse effects of consuming alcohol during pregnancy.

Alcohol abstinence and drinking among African women: data from the World Health Surveys

“…Indeed, there have already been calls from the WHO for Africa to address the harmful use of alcohol, and concerns from South Africa and Uganda about hazardous drinking habits among their female citizens [36-38]. …”

Sex-related alcohol expectancies and high-risk sexual behaviour among drinking adults in Kampala, Uganda

“…Conversion to U.S. standard drinks was conducted for all drinks reported where alcohol by volume was known including the local beverages (WHO, 2000, Namagembe et al, 2010). Once each drink was converted to U.S. standard drinks, average daily ethanol consumption could be calculated based on the 12 grams of ethanol per drink, the frequency of consumption of each alcoholic beverage, and the average number of drinks per occasion.…”

Prenatal alcohol exposure in the Republic of the Congo: Prevalence and screening strategies

“…Table 1 provides a summary of published studies of PAE and binge drinking from Sub-Saharan Africa. Both Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo have PAE rates near 30% (Namagembe et al, 2010;Tandu-Umba et al, 2011;World Health Organization, 2011;U.S. Both Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo have PAE rates near 30% (Namagembe et al, 2010;Tandu-Umba et al, 2011;World Health Organization, 2011;U.S.…”

“…Both Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo have PAE rates near 30% (Namagembe et al, 2010;Tandu-Umba et al, 2011;World Health Organization, 2011;U.S. Rates of binge drinking during pregnancy were 9% for Uganda and 24.5% in the Democratic Republic of Congo (Namagembe et al, 2010;Tandu-Umba et al, 2011;World Health Organization, 2011;U.S. Rates of binge drinking during pregnancy were 9% for Uganda and 24.5% in the Democratic Republic of Congo (Namagembe et al, 2010;Tandu-Umba et al, 2011;World Health Organization, 2011;U.S.…”