Alcohol-exposed pregnancies (AEP) are the direct cause of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD). This study examines drinking patterns among pregnant and non-pregnant women of childbearing age in Russia, a country with one of the highest levels of alcohol consumption in the world.
Cross-sectional survey.
7 public women's clinics in two locations: St. Petersburg (SPB) and the Nizhny Novgorod region (NNR).
648 pregnant and non-pregnant childbearing age women.
A face-to-face structured interview assessed alcohol consumption, pregnancy status/possibility of becoming pregnant and consumption before and after pregnancy recognition.
89% of non-pregnant women reported consuming alcohol and 65% reported binge drinking in the past three months. 47% in NNR and 28% in SPB reported binges at least monthly. Women who might become pregnant consumed alcohol similarly to women who were not likely to become pregnant, and 32% of women in SPB and 54% in NNR were categorized as at-risk for AEP. There was a significant decline in drinking after pregnancy identification. 20% of pregnant women reported consuming alcohol and 6% in SBP (none in NNR) reported binge drinking; however, a high prevalence of binge drinking was found among women who might become pregnant or who were trying to conceive.
Russian women substantially reduce drinking after pregnancy recognition compared to pre-pregnancy levels. No reductions were found prior to pregnancy recognition, either when a woman might become pregnant or when she was trying to conceive. The preconception period presents a risk window and, therefore, a prevention opportunity.
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