Prevalence and patterns of alcohol use in pregnancy in remote W estern A ustralian communities: The L ililwan P roject

and Aims Alcohol use in pregnancy is thought to be common in remote Australian communities, but no population‐based data are available. Aboriginal leaders in remote W estern A ustralia invited researchers to determine the prevalence and patterns of alcohol use in pregnancy within their communities. Design and Methods A population‐based survey of caregivers of all children born in 2002/2003 and living in the F itzroy V alley in 2010/2011 ( n  = 134). Alcohol use risk was categorised using the A lcohol U se D isorders I dentification T est consumption subset ( AUDIT ‐ C ) tool. Birth and child outcomes were determined by interview, medical record review and physical examination. Results 127/134 (95%) eligible caregivers participated: 78% were birth mothers, 95% were A boriginal and 55% reported alcohol use in index pregnancies; 88% reported first trimester drinking and 53% drinking in all trimesters. AUDIT ‐ C scores were calculated for 115/127 women, of whom 60 (52%) reported alcohol use in pregnancy. Of the 60 women who drank ( AUDIT ‐ C score ≥ 1), 12% drank daily/almost daily, 33% drank 2–3 times per week; 71% drank ≥ 10 standard drinks on a typical occasion; 95% drank at risky or high‐risk levels ( AUDIT ‐ C score ≥ 4). Mean AUDIT ‐ C score was 8.5 ± 2.3 (range 2–12). The most common drinking pattern was consumption of ≥10 standard drinks either 2–4 times per month (27%) or 2–3 times per week (27%). Discussion and Conclusions High‐risk alcohol use in pregnancy is common in remote, predominantly A boriginal communities in north western A ustralia. Prevention strategies to reduce prenatal alcohol use are urgently needed. [Fitzpatrick JP, Latimer J, Ferreira ML, Carter M, Oscar J, Martiniuk ALC, Watkins RE, Elliott EJ. Prevalence and patterns of alcohol use in pregnancy in remote Western Australian communities: The Lililwan Project . Drug Alcohol Rev 2015]