Alcohol and illicit and non-medical prescription drug use before and during pregnancy in Stockholm, Sweden: A cross-sectional study

Objectives: To provide current estimates of alcohol and drug use among pregnant women attending antenatal care lectures in preparation for childbirth in Stockholm, Sweden. Study design: A cross-sectional study. Data was collected anonymously among women attending lectures in preparation for childbirth. Main outcome measures: The prevalence of alcohol and illicit and non-medical prescription drug use among pregnant women attending antenatal care lectures in preparation for childbirth. Results: Nine hundred and thirty-six pregnant women attending lectures in preparation for childbirth participated. Among those answering all questions about alcohol use during pregnancy, 4.2 percent reported use (95% confidence interval (CI), 3.0-5.7%) and among those answering all questions about illicit or non-medical prescription drug use during pregnancy, 0.5 percent reported such use (95% CI, 0.1-1.3%). The prevalences of binge drinking during pregnancy and alcohol and drug use before pregnancy are presented. Comparisons of anonymously and non-anonymously collected data are included. Conclusions: Approximately one in 25 women reported using alcohol and approximately one in 200 reported using illicit or non-medical prescription drugs while pregnant. Alcohol use during pregnancy may have decreased in Stockholm, Sweden.

Automated summary

The study aimed to estimate the current alcohol and drug use among pregnant women attending antenatal care lectures in Stockholm, Sweden. Approximately 1 in 25 women reported alcohol use during pregnancy, and about 1 in 200 reported using illicit or non-medical prescription drugs while pregnant. Alcohol use during pregnancy may have decreased in Stockholm.