Embarazo y alcohol: conocimientos, actitudes y opiniones de los profesionales sanitarios

Alcohol consumption during pregnancy represents an important risk for the fetus and is one of the main causes of the Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders. Aims. To explore knowledge, attitudes and opin-ions of health professionals towards alcohol use during pregnancy. Method. Qualitative transversal study based on a phenomenological approach. Semi-structured interviews with 24 healthcare profes-sionals. Non-probability convenience sampling at public hospitals of the Community of Madrid. We performed a categorical and interpretive content analysis using QSR-NVIVO v.11 software. Results. Participants reported lack of knowledge about official guidelines and about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, however they identified risk and consequences of drinking during pregnancy. Health professionals described the use of different approaches to advising pregnant women. Usually, partici-pants ask pregnant women only once about their alcohol use at the start of their pregnancy, and not follow-up with them. Participants have identified the need for better prevention and improve-ment/training on communication styles between professionals and clients. Conclusions. Results show the need to increase health professionals training about alcohol consumption during pregnancy and its consequences (including about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders) in order to improve quality of preventive actions.