"If we have the knowledge, then that is power to help our expectant moms": Northern Ontario health care students' knowledge and attitudes addressing alcohol consumption during pregnancy.

Abstract

The current document is a paper-based dissertation investigating health care professionals’ knowledge, attitudes, and self-efficacy regarding fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) and alcohol consumption during pregnancy. This dissertation incorporates findings from a secondary data analysis of health care professionals in Ontario, as well as original data from health care students training in Northern Ontario. While previous research has demonstrated that health care professionals remain under-educated concerning FASD and alcohol use during pregnancy, limited research has investigated the knowledge and experiences of health care students. The first paper included is a secondary data analysis of the 2001-2002 Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Survey for Health Professionals. Ontario-specific data (N=834) were used to examine the awareness of FASD held by various provider groups in both rural and urban settings. Results from this study indicate that many physicians, midwives, and other health care professionals may have inconsistent knowledge regarding the impact of prenatal alcohol exposure, resulting in mixed messages for women of childbearing age about the safety of alcohol use during pregnancy. The second paper included is a qualitative analysis of scenario-based vignettes regarding alcohol use during pregnancy. Although almost all students (N=21) recognized that no alcohol consumption during pregnancy is the safest recommendation, many students noted that this advice is not always conveyed to pregnant women. Finally, the third paper included is also a qualitative analysis based on a thematic analysis of scenario-based vignettes and semistructured interviews. The third paper explores health care students’ (N=21) attitudes and beliefs about women who may continue to consume alcohol throughout their pregnancy and presents the often stereotypical and stigmatic perceptions of FASD and alcohol use during pregnancy held by health care professionals. Recommendations and implications for increasing students’ and professionals’ knowledge and self-efficacy regarding FASD management and prevention are discussed.