Open AccessCollege students’ attitudes towards prohealth behavior and alcohol consumption during pregnancy planning and pregnancy
Author(s) -
Katarzyna Szwamel,
Małgorzata Szerszeń,
Joanna Siekierka,
Agnieszka Kotowska
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
medical science pulse
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2544-1620
pISSN - 2544-1558
DOI - 10.5604/01.3001.0014.6432
Subject(s) - pregnancy , alcohol consumption , fetal alcohol syndrome , alcohol , psychology , medicine , young adult , environmental health , alcohol abuse , consumption (sociology) , binge drinking , clinical psychology , developmental psychology , psychiatry , suicide prevention , poison control , biochemistry , chemistry , genetics , social science , sociology , biology
Background: Alcohol is one of the most commonly used psychoactive substances among students.Aim of the study: This study aimed to examine the level of pro-health behaviors among college students, andtheir opinions on alcohol consumption during pregnancy planning and pregnancy.Material and methods: This study was conducted in 2018 among 228 adult students in Opole secondaryschools. Diagnostic surveys were used, which included the Health Behavior Inventory (HBI) and a questionnairedeveloped by the authors.Results: Forty-six percent (n = 105) of the 228 students presented with very low levels of pro-health behaviorsand 57.46% (n = 131) of students endorsed alcohol intoxication or abuse in the past. Most of the students (n = 215;94.3%) claimed that a baby’s father should have an impact on pro-health behaviors of his pregnant female partner.There were, however, divergent opinions on the permissibility of alcohol consumption by a mother-to-beand a potential father while planning to become pregnant. The students were more likely to report that drinkingis acceptable among potential fathers as compared to mothers (35.52% vs. 22.37%). Students also pointedout the need to spread knowledge about fetal alcohol Syndrome (FAS). Finally, students reported that their familiesand teachers were the best sources of knowledge on the potential harmful effects of alcohol, including FAS.Conclusions: There is high accessibility and social acceptance of alcohol consumption, in conjunction with lowand average levels of pro-health behaviors among most young adults. Further, most young adults have experiencedalcohol intoxication or abuse in the past and the opinions on the acceptance of alcohol consumptionby potential fathers and mothers while planning a baby. Together, these patterns may be associated with anincreased risk of FAS. The students pointed to a strong need for more information about FAS, and indicatedthat their families and schools as the most desired sources of this information. These results may can be usedto create an educational strategy for students aimed at FAS prophylaxis.