Atitudes acerca do consumo de álcool na gravidez

: vozes de uma população oculta

Abstract

This exploratory study aims to explore pregnant women’s attitudes (in its behavioral, cognitive and emotional aspects) about low risk alcohol consume during pregnancy. More information about demographic characteristics and knowledge of, attitudes toward and use of alcohol of pregnant women is needed, although existing research has documented a spectrum of adverse health outcomes from lower levels of prenatal alcohol exposure. The study consists of thirteen interviews with pregnant women who attend primary, secondary and/or private health care, without any diagnosed alcohol problem, based on an semi structured interview script; the data were processed according to a semi inductive perspective, following a mixed methodology (both quantitative and qualitative). The main results were the cessation or reduction of alcohol consume during pregnancy, the occasional consume during pregnancy on festive occasions and/or social contexts, Champaign as the preferred type of beverage consumed, pregnancy as the main motive for abstinence, and the absence of specific knowledge about the consequences of alcohol consume. We point out the total absence of screening for alcohol consume in private health care settings, and the often unique screening in public health care setting at the beginning of the antenatal care, in spite of existence of that national guidelines on this matter. Participants agree with both the environmental prevention strategies presented, although referring having doubts about their ability to change behaviors. We highlight the theme of doubt, which is transversal to almost the whole participants’ speech, and the underlying challenge for the development of effective universal, selective and indicated prevention strategies for this hidden population.

Date of Award	23 Jun 2016
Original language	Portuguese
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Maria Raul Xavier (Supervisor)