[Survey of secondary school students 18 years old or older about knowledge on risks to the fetus related to alcohol consumption during pregnancy].

INTRODUCTION

Being not perceived as risky for health, alcohol consumption is socially accepted worldwide. Nevertheless, related risks for the fetus are relevant, even for occasional use. In Italy there is a high consumption of alcohol among young people and pregnant women, and an increasing number of children born with alcohol-related disorders.

AIM: To investigate the knowledge on fetal alcohol-related disorders among students over 18 years of age in a regional capital in the North of Italy.

METHODS

In May, 2015, a survey with an online, validated questionnaire was conducted on N=1321 students.

RESULTS

A total of N=246 valid questionnaires was obtained (18,6%). The 76,4% of students knew that drinking alcohol during pregnancy damages fetus, but only the 23,5% knew that this damages are permanent. Only the 43,5% knew that this damages are preventable; of them, the 77,6% stated that the only way to prevent them is abstention from alcohol consumption, though 30,1% answered that alcohol use is allowed without damage the fetus. Only the 17,5% answered to know Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders.

CONCLUSION

The study showed satisfying knowledge on general aspects, but scarce on specific ones, and a limited awareness that only complete abstinence from alcohol when pregnant can prevent irreversible damages of the fetus. This results could help to program educational interventions for teenagers, carried out by nurses, pediatric nurses and other health professionals to increase their knowledge and prevent in utero exposure. Future studies could be aimed at identifying the most effective educational methods to do so.