Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40866836›Full record

SynthesisBMC psychiatry2025

The prevalence and associated factors of alcohol consumption among pregnant women in Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Fantahun Andualem, Mamaru Melkam, Girum Nakie, Techilo Tinsae, Setegn Fentahun, Gidey Rtbey, Girmaw Medfu Takelle, Getasew Kibralew, Berihun Agegn Mengistie, Getachew Muluye Gedef and 2 more

Abstract readSystematic ReviewMeta-Analysis
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in BMC psychiatry, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

12 authors.

Fantahun AndualemDepartment of Psychiatry, College of Medicine and Health Science, University of Gondar, PO Box 196, Gondar, Ethiopia. fantaandu27@gmail.com.
Mamaru MelkamDepartment of Psychiatry, College of Medicine and Health Science, University of Gondar, PO Box 196, Gondar, Ethiopia.
Girum NakieDepartment of Psychiatry, College of Medicine and Health Science, University of Gondar, PO Box 196, Gondar, Ethiopia.
Techilo TinsaeDepartment of Psychiatry, College of Medicine and Health Science, University of Gondar, PO Box 196, Gondar, Ethiopia.
Setegn FentahunDepartment of Psychiatry, College of Medicine and Health Science, University of Gondar, PO Box 196, Gondar, Ethiopia.
Gidey RtbeyDepartment of Psychiatry, College of Medicine and Health Science, University of Gondar, PO Box 196, Gondar, Ethiopia.
Girmaw Medfu TakelleDepartment of Psychiatry, College of Medicine and Health Science, University of Gondar, PO Box 196, Gondar, Ethiopia.
Getasew KibralewDepartment of Psychiatry, College of Medicine and Health Science, Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Gondar, Ethiopia.
Berihun Agegn MengistieDepartment of General Midwifery, School of Midwifery, College of Medicine and Health Science, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.
Getachew Muluye GedefDepartment of General Midwifery, College of Medicine and Health Science, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.
Amlaku Nigusie YirsawDepartment of Health Promotion and Heath Behaviour, School of Public Healrh, College of Medicine and Health Science, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.
Gebresilassie TadesseDepartment of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundAlcohol consumption is a major global risk factor for poor health, contributing to a wide range of physical, mental, and social problems. Among vulnerable populations, alcohol use during pregnancy is a particularly critical concern due to its harmful effects on both maternal and fetal health. This issue is especially pressing in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where alcohol consumption is increasing and healthcare systems often lack the capacity to address related consequences. In Africa, characterized by diverse cultural norms and socioeconomic disparities, the burden of alcohol use during pregnancy remains inadequately understood. While several studies have explored this issue across various African settings, their findings have been inconsistent. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to estimate the pooled prevalence of alcohol consumption during pregnancy and identify associated factors among pregnant women in Africa.

methodsThis study followed the PRISMA 2020 guidelines and was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42024557559). A comprehensive search was conducted across PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library. Eligible cross-sectional studies reporting alcohol consumption among pregnant women in Africa were included. The methodological quality of each study was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal checklist. Only studies scoring five or higher were included. Data extraction was done using a structured Excel sheet. Publication bias was assessed using funnel plots and Egger's test.

resultsA total of 21 studies from various African countries involving 11,726 pregnant women were included. The pooled prevalence of alcohol consumption during pregnancy was 28.33% (95% CI: 22.68-33.99%). Subgroup analysis showed prevalence estimates of 34.09% in Ghana, 29.19% in Ethiopia, and 19.80% in Uganda. Significant associated factors included rural residence, lack of formal education, poor social support, family history of mental illness, history of abortion, lack of awareness, pre-pregnancy alcohol use, partner alcohol use, and unplanned pregnancy.

conclusionThis systematic review and meta-analysis found that the pooled prevalence of alcohol consumption among pregnant women was high. This study provides valuable insights that can inform future public health initiatives and research on this critical topic.

Indexed as

Alcohol DrinkingPregnant PeopleAfricaFemaleHumansPregnancyPrevalenceRisk FactorsAfricaAlcohol consumptionAlcohol useAssociated factorsPregnant womenPrevalence

Identifiers

PMID40866836
PMCPMC12392560

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.