Attitudes of pregnant women regarding tobacco and alcohol use during pregnancy at one primary health care clinic in Southern Namibia.

Abstract

Introduction: Alcohol and tobacco use during pregnancy is known to negatively affect the health of the mother and the fetus.

Objective: To determine the attitude of pregnant women attending antenatal care regarding the use of tobacco and alcohol during pregnancy.

Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional, analytical design was used. The population were all pregnant women attending antenatal care at the clinic where study was conducted. Systematic sampling method was used to select the sample of 224 pregnant women. Data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire. Data was analysed using Statistical Package of the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 27. Descriptive statistics was utilized to generate frequencies and percentages. Fisher's Exact test at 0.05 alpha level was used to determine the association between variables.

Results: Most participants, 92 (43.6%) were aged between 18 and 24 years. Majority, 186 (88.15%) were in third trimester of pregnancy, 154 (73%) were single, and unemployed. Most participants 165 (78.2%) have positive attitude regarding the use of alcohol during pregnancy and 198 (98.3%) have positive attitude regarding tobacco use during pregnancy. Further, marital status showed a significant association with the attitudes towards alcohol use (p=0.042).

Conclusion: Participants have positive attitude regarding alcohol and tobacco use during pregnancy.