Kampala, Uganda – Cravings, witchcraft, medicinal value, unborn baby cleansing, abusive spouses, and stress-relief, are some of the reasons for alcohol consumption among expectant mothers in Northern Uganda, a new study has revealed.
Researchers at the School of Public Health, Makerere University in Uganda have unveiled the range of reasons in a groundbreaking study titled “Alcohol use during pregnancy in post-conflict northern Uganda: pregnant women’s experiences and provider perceptions,” and has shed light on the complex factors influencing alcohol consumption among pregnant women in the Acholi region of Northern Uganda.
The study, conducted in 2021 by Apophia Agiresaasi, Nazarius Mbona Tumwesigye, Elizabeth Nabiwemba, Juliet Kiguli, Gakenia Wamuyu Maina, and Goretti Nassanga, offers critical insights into the contextual intricacies that contribute to maternal alcohol use during pregnancy, as well as perceptions of healthcare providers.
It is a qualitative study that has also been published in the Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, and Policy, an open-access, peer-reviewed journal that encompasses research concerning substance abuse, with a focus on policy issues.
It has further resulted in a Doctoral Defence by the lead researcher, Apophia Agiresaasi which takes place at the school this morning.
The researchers justified their study by revealing that they had found a dearth of in-depth understanding of why women engage in alcohol consumption during pregnancy.
“This study aimed to bridge that gap by exploring pregnant women’s experiences, knowledge, attitudes, and provider perceptions regarding prenatal alcohol consumption,” they write.
The study details
The research, conducted through in-depth interviews and thematic content analysis, found that pregnant women’s views on alcohol consumption during pregnancy are multifaceted.
Some participants believed that alcohol consumption during pregnancy was beneficial, while others had reservations about it.
“It helps relieve stress. Sometimes I may have problems with my husband and I need to take alcohol to relieve myself of stress. For some women, their husbands don’t care about them. They don’t provide for their families. Some have other women. These things can cause stress,” a respondent from Kitgum district is quoted in the study saying.
Another respondent from Gulu District says: “I take waragi. I just feel like taking it. They say it cleanses the baby in the womb. It cleans the baby. Our mothers and our grandmothers told us that. Every time I am pregnant I have to keep taking waragi for that reason.”
Notably, the study uncovered compelling situations that predisposed pregnant women to consume alcohol. These included the brewing of alcohol as a livelihood, pregnancy-induced cravings for alcohol, and participation in cultural festivities characterized by alcohol consumption.
However, it is crucial to note that the study revealed that women who consumed alcohol during pregnancy were not held in high regard within the Acholi communities. Despite this, various interventions were reported to exist within the community to address alcohol use during pregnancy.
These interventions encompassed health education during Antenatal Care services (ANC), public debates, radio talk shows, community health worker counseling, and local council by-laws.
The groundbreaking study further reveals that alcohol use during pregnancy is a pressing global health concern, as it has been linked to various birth defects and developmental disabilities collectively known as Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD).
The study further investigated women’s knowledge regarding alcohol consumption during pregnancy, uncovering a range of perceptions within the community.
While some women acknowledged the risks associated with alcohol use during pregnancy, others demonstrated varying levels of understanding.
Some respondents possessed a general awareness that alcohol consumption during pregnancy could potentially harm both the mother and the unborn baby.
Concerns were expressed about accidents occurring while drunk, leading to harm to both the fetus and the mother. Specific comprehensive knowledge was evident in some participants, as they detailed the potential consequences of alcohol consumption, including miscarriage, delayed development, brain damage, low birth weight, and fetal deformation.
Conversely, certain respondents had only fragmentary information on the dangers of maternal drinking during pregnancy.
They believed that alcohol use during pregnancy could lead to complications, including a “disfigured shape of the head” for the child and potential abnormality. Some even noted concerns about the baby’s growth.
Surprisingly, some women admitted a lack of knowledge altogether about whether alcohol posed any threat to the mother or the unborn baby.
The study also highlighted the observations of key informants, such as health workers, who had noted undesirable characteristics among children born to mothers who consumed alcohol during pregnancy.
These children were reported to be fatigued, inactive, and small for their gestational age.
Interestingly, some women believed they were bewitched or cursed to consume alcohol, even against their intentions. This perception indicated the deeply rooted societal influences and belief systems that contribute to this behavior.
What the study recommends
The study’s conclusions and recommendations underline the need for community sensitization and support mechanisms that encourage pregnant mothers to abstain from alcohol consumption during pregnancy.
The findings emphasize the existing socio-cultural norms that contribute to the continuation of alcohol consumption among pregnant women in post-conflict northern Uganda.
To address this, healthcare providers are encouraged to consistently provide accurate information about the dangers of alcohol consumption during pregnancy, empowering pregnant women to make informed decisions for the health of themselves and their unborn children.
The study’s findings unveiled a complex interplay of socio-economic, cultural, and psychological factors contributing to alcohol consumption during pregnancy in post-conflict northern Uganda’s Acholi region.
These insights have far-reaching implications for public health interventions and policy-making efforts aimed at addressing maternal alcohol consumption and its associated risks.
The study emphasized the need for multi-faceted approaches that not only raise awareness but also address the underlying socio-economic challenges faced by pregnant women in the region.
To access this Journal Article, Visit: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13011-021-00418-2 or write to the first author upon request via email at agiresaasi@gmail.com.
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