Page 50 - Zero for nine: Reducing alcohol use during pregnancy via health counselling and Internet-based computer-tailored feedback

Chapter 2
lack of a representative population, the results of this study cannot be generalized. However, a participation bias does not diminish the results of this study, because the whole range of the studied factors was found in our sample, allowing the investigation of these variables as correlates of prenatal alcohol use. Second, the study was of a cross- sectional nature. Therefore, we were unable to draw conclusions about the causality of the associations found. Third, our study addressed social norms, modeling and support of partners as they relate to alcohol consumption in pregnant women. Yet, other social influences also exist that may have an influence on a pregnant woman’s decision regarding alcohol consumption, such as concordant or discordant drinking habits (e.g. Torvik, et al., 2013) and intimate partner violence (e.g. Devries, et al., 2014). Our study did not address these issues, and more research may be needed, particularly in subgroups of women who experience partner violence, to study the influence of these factors. Finally, throughout the paper, we regarded the partners as male. However, we did not actually assess the gender of the partner, and we cannot be certain that all of the partners were male. Thus, we cannot differentiate between the influence of male and female partners on the pregnant women, nor can we differentiate between partners who were or were not the biological fathers of the respective pregnant women’s babies.
Conclusions
Because no safe level of alcohol consumption has been determined and many pregnant women still use alcohol, effective interventions are needed to prevent prenatal alcohol use. The present study contributed to this development by identifying important correlates of prenatal alcohol use, with special attention given to partner influence, both as perceived by the pregnant woman and reported by the partner. Hence, the effectiveness of interventions can be improved when such interventions address both the pregnant woman and her partner.
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