Assessment of Alcohol Consumption among Pregnant Women in Antenatal Clinic (ANC) at Jigmi Dorji Wangchuk National Referral Hospital (JDWNRH), Thimphu, Bhutan

Abstract

Drinking alcohol by men, women, and children is widely accepted and practiced in Bhutanese society. Homemade alcohol is used by post-natal mothers with a belief it increases flow of breast milk for the baby and promotes comfort and healing for the mother. This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in June 2011 with the objective to assess alcohol consumption among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at Jigme Dorji Wangchuk National Referral Hospital (JDWNRH) in Thimphu, Bhutan. Structured questionnaires and alcohol use disorder identification test (AUDIT) questions were used for face to face interview with 312 pregnant women. The study found that lifetime alcohol consumption was 203 (65.1%), regular drinking during the last 12 months, 165 (52.9%), last three months, 79 (25.3%), last one month 74, (23.7%) and last week 34 (10.9%).   Out of nine types of alcohol listed for this study, pregnant women mostly consumed homemade rice wine called “changkey” and distilled alcohol drink “ara”. As for commercial products women mostly consume were beer and wine. The main reason for alcohol consumption was tradition, culture and customs and women had positive feelings towards alcohol, especially homemade alcohol. They also drank to promote sleep and comfort.