Prevalence and factors associated with alcohol consumption among pregnant women attending antenatal care in a Rural District in Tete, Mozambique

Abstract Background: Alcohol consumption during pregnancy is a significant public health and pregnancy-related problem, such as spontaneous abortion, stillbirth or low birth weight. According to the WHO, there is no safe amount of alcohol consumption during pregnancy. Studies show high rates of alcohol consumption during pregnancy in sub-Saharan African countries with a prevalence range (2.2-87%). This research aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with alcohol consumption among pregnant women attending antenatal care in a rural district of Tete, Mozambique. Methods: A cross sectional survey was conducted between May and June 2022. The non-probability convenience method was applied for sample selection. Prevalence was determined using a 95% CI. binary logistic Regression was used to determine the factors associated with alcohol consumption. Data were analysed using statistical SPPS v26 and Stata. Results: a total of 177 pregnant women participated in the survey. The prevalence of alcohol consumption during pregnancy was 85.9% (152/177; 95% CI: 80.7-91.0), which was associated with increasing age (OR= 8.86; 95% CI: 2.646-29.687; p-value = 0.00 and OR= 9.81; 95% CI: 2.262-42.576; p-value = 0.002) respectively. In addition, another associated factor was following some religion (OR= 0.07; 95% CI: 0.020-0.246; p-value = 0.00). Conclusion: The survey significantly reveals a high prevalence of alcohol consumption among pregnant women attended in a antenatal care in Chitima. Maternal age and religion were the variables that have some significant association with alcohol consumption during pregnancy. Therefore, interventions for behavioural change to reduce alcohol consumption during pregnancy are needed, especially in all age groups.