Determinants of prenatal Alcohol Consumption among pregnant women in Southern Ethiopia: A Community-Based Study

Abstract Background: Prenatal alcohol consumption is a significant public health problem. Studies discover that there is no safe amount or safe time to drink alcohol during pregnancy, eventually affecting the neonatal offspring. Despite this effect, pregnant women in Ethiopia consume different alcohol-containing beverages. This study was intended to assess prenatal alcohol use and associated factors among pregnant women in southern Ethiopia. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was employed from December 1 to 30, 2021, in southern Ethiopia among 573 pregnant women. A multistage sampling technique was carried out. Data analysis was done using the statistical package for social science (SPSS) version 27.0 software. Binary logistic regression was used to assess the association between alcohol consumption and independent variables. A p-value ? 0.05 with a 95% confidence interval was considered statistically significant. Results: The prevalence of alcohol use was found to be 22.7%. primiparous (AOR=2.12, 95% CI, 1.10, 4.09), drinker partners (AOR=3.01, 95% CI, 1.20, 3.94), uninformed on the risk of alcohol consumption (AOR=3.90, 95% CI, 1.98, 7.70), had a known medical problem (AOR=0.09, 95% CI, 0.02, 0.31), and depressive mental status (AOR=3.03, 95% CI, 1.15, 11.21) were variables found to have a statistically significant association with alcohol use. Conclusion: This study found a high level of alcohol consumption. Interventions to create awareness on the adverse effects of alcohol are needed. Moreover, encouraging couples to have preconception care to know her mental and medical status and husband involvement during perinatal care to reduce his influence and encouragement for alcohol consumption. Keywords: Alcohol consumption, maternal, pregnancy, Arba Minch, Ethiopia.