Alcohol Use and Associated Factors among Pregnant Mothers in West Arsi, Southern Ethiopia, 2021

Background: Alcohol consumption during pregnancy is a major public health issue in both developed and developing countries. Prenatal exposure has been linked to an increase in miscarriages, stillbirths, brain damage, birth defects, growth restriction, social, and behavioral deficits, data on the extent of use of alcohol by women during pregnancy in the study setting is unknown. Therefore, the aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of alcohol use and associated factors among pregnant women in study area. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among pregnant women in the Arsi Nagele district from September 23 to October 23, 2021. A cluster sampling technique was used to select 759 pregnant women. A pre-tested interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. Bivariable and Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify the independent predictors of alcohol use during pregnancy. Statistical significance was declared by using odds, a p-value of <0.05 and at 95% confidence intervals. Results: