Alcohol consumption practice & perception during pregnancy & post partum among the mother's attending immunization clinic of Gandhi Tulsi Manohara community hospital, Gothatar, Kathmandu.

Thesis Report

ABSTRACT: Although the alcohol consumption during pregnancy and post partum is highly hazardous to the pregnancy and fetus. The prevalence of alcohol consumption in this group is still little known in Nepal. To identify the knowledge, practice and perception of alcohol beverages consumption during pregnancy and post partum period, a hospital based cross sectional study was carried among 200 mothers of under one year's children in immunization clinic of Gandhi Tulasi Manohara Community. A semi structured interviewer administered questionnaire was used to collect information. Data entry and analysis was carried out in SPSS Version 17. The study revealed that, out of 200 respondents, 32 % of them had ever experienced alcohol drinks and 13.5% were current drinker. Regarding types of alcohol, most of them usually drink homemade alcohol. This study found significant relationship between alcohol drinking practice and ethnic group, husbands and family member alcohol consumption behavior, family practice and preparation of alcohol in home where. Among respondents 10.5% of them drinks alcohol during pregnancy and 13% of them drinks during post partum period. Eighty percent of the respondents were aware about the adverse effect of alcohol on health, 80.5% of them were aware about the adverse effect of alcohol on pregnancy, 75.5% of them were aware about adverse effect on unborn child and 74% of them were aware about the adverse effect on breast feeding baby. In conclusion, more than quarter(32%) of the mother's had ever drinks alcohol, 10.5% drinks during Pregnancy and 13% drinks during Post Partum Period. Homemade alcohol is most commonly used. Most of the respondents thought alcohol would have adverse effect in general health, pregnancy, unborn child and breast feeding baby. The major influencing factors for mothers to drink alcohol are culture, traditions and drinking habit of husband, family member and peers. The Alcohol consumption practice is significantly high among the respondent from Janajati ethnic group whose husbands and family member's drink alcohol and prepare alcohol in home.