title: Consumption of alcohol during pregnancy-A multinational European study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although single-country studies indicate alcohol consumption among some pregnant European women, it is difficult to interpret European differences. Few multinational studies exist using the same methodology.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To estimate the proportion of women consuming alcohol during pregnancy in Europe, and to analyze whether between country variations could be explained by sociodemography and smoking.
  
  
  METHODS
  An anonymous online questionnaire was accessible for pregnant women and new mothers in 11 European countries during two months between October 2011 and February 2012 in each country. The questionnaire covered alcohol consumption, sociodemographic factors, and smoking habits during pregnancy. Descriptive analyses and logistic regression models were conducted.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study population consisted of 7905 women, 53.1% pregnant and 46.9% new mothers. On average, 15.8% reported alcohol consumption during pregnancy. The highest proportion of alcohol consumption during pregnancy was found in the UK (28.5%), Russia (26.5%), and Switzerland (20.9%) and the lowest in Norway (4.1%), Sweden (7.2%), and Poland (9.7%). When reporting alcohol consumption during pregnancy, 39% consumed at least one unit per month. In Italy, Switzerland, and the UK, over half consumed at least one alcohol unit per month. Higher education and smoking before pregnancy were predictors of alcohol consumption during pregnancy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Almost 16% of women resident in Europe consumed alcohol during pregnancy with large cross-country variations. Education and smoking prior to pregnancy could not fully explain the differences between the European countries. A united European strategy to prevent alcohol consumption during pregnancy is needed with focus on countries with the highest consumption.
authors.affiliation: Research and Development, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Röda Stråket 8, 40345 Gothenburg, Sweden; Epidemiology and Social Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, P.O. Box 453, 40530, Gothenburg, Sweden. Electronic address: lotta.mardby@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Ann-Charlotte
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Mårdby
authors.affiliation: PharmacoEpidemiology and Drug Safety Research Group, Department of Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lupattelli
authors.affiliation: Epidemiology and Social Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, P.O. Box 453, 40530, Gothenburg, Sweden.
authors.forename: Gunnel
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Hensing
authors.affiliation: PharmacoEpidemiology and Drug Safety Research Group, Department of Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo, Norway; Department of Child Health, National Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Hedvig
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Nordeng
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D005006:Ethnicity / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011247:Pregnancy; D037841:Pregnant People / Q000523:psychology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Alcohol; Europe; Pregnancy; Smoking; Sociodemographic factors