A survey of public awareness of the risk of alcohol and cigarettes on the fetus

Abstract

A sample of 200 urban New Zealanders completed a telephone survey designed to assess: (1) awareness of the risk of maternal alcohol and cigarette use on the fetus; (2) knowledge of the specific effects of alcohol and cigarettes on the fetus; (3) levels of alcohol and cigarette use considered "safe" during pregnancy; and (4) the sources from which information was received about the effects of alcohol and cigarettes on the fetus. Almost all respondents were aware of the potential risk of using alcohol and cigarettes during pregnancy. Further, recommendations about "safe" levels of alcohol and cigarettes on the fetus were generally within "safe" limits. However, knowledge of specific effects of alcohol and cigarettes on the fetus was poor, with many individuals not knowing of any effects and those that did knowing on average of only one. Respondents received information about the effects of alcohol and cigarettes on the fetus haphazedly rather than by design. The information sources most commonly mentioned were written materials, talking with family and friends and common sense. Few respondents mentioned health personnel as an information source. Comparisons with Australian and American surveys showed that the New Zealand public are equally as aware and knowledgable about this area as overseas populations. The potentally powerful role that health personnel could play as a direct source of accurate information was highlighted in the discussion of the implications of this study.