ORCID
- Kate Maslin: 0000-0001-5580-803X
- Heather Hopper: 0000-0003-4191-8814
- Jill Shawe: 0000-0002-2766-7302
Abstract
Alcohol-free drinks [beers, ciders, wines, and spirits containing <0.05% alcohol by volume (ABV)], and lowalcohol drinks (between 0.05% and 1.2% ABV) are increasingly available and may be used as a harm reduction measure. However, it is not known what pregnant women think and feel about these drinks and how regularly they are consumed before and during pregnancy. A cross-sectional online survey was developed and piloted. Women ≥18 years in the UK who were pregnant, or recently pregnant, were recruited via targeted social media advertising. Of the 2092 respondents, 47.8% (n ¼ 1001) were currently pregnant; 55.7% (n ¼ 1167) were between 25 and 34 years, 90.0% were White (n ¼ 1881); 6.1% (n ¼ 128) were drinking alcohol at “increasing risk” levels (>14 units/week) before pregnancy. During pregnancy, 13.5% (n ¼ 282) consumed alcohol, which was more common in the increasing risk category (P < .01). Alcohol-free or low-alcohol drinks were consumed by 71.3% (n ¼ 1491) of respondents during pregnancy; 91.4% of the increasing risk category versus 69.9% of the lower risk category (P < .01). The most common reasons for consuming alcohol-free or low-alcohol drinks were “to choose a safer alternative” (71.9%, n ¼ 1073) and “to feel included in social events involving alcohol” (68.8%, n ¼ 1026). More than half of respondents (56.7%) thought there was insufficient information available about consuming alcohol-free and low-alcohol drinks during pregnancy, with internet searching the primary source of information. Although alcohol-free and low-alcohol drinks are commonly consumed during pregnancy, there are some safety concerns. Their role as a harm reduction measure in those who are drinking alcohol at increasing risk levels prepregnancy needs further investigation.
DOI Link
Publication Date
2025-12-01
Publication Title
European Journal of Public Health
Volume
35
Issue
6
ISSN
1101-1262
Acceptance Date
2025-01-01
Deposit Date
2026-01-05
Funding
This project was funded by Alcohol Change UK following a competitive tender award.
Additional Links
Keywords
Pregnancy, Young Adult, Alcohol Drinking/epidemiology, Cross-Sectional Studies, Humans, Adolescent, Female, Adult, Alcoholic Beverages/statistics & numerical data, Surveys and Questionnaires, United Kingdom/epidemiology, Pregnant People/psychology
First Page
1248
Last Page
1254
Recommended Citation
Maslin, K., Hopper, H., & Shawe, J. (2025) 'The use of alcohol-free and low-alcohol drinks in pregnancy in the UK', European Journal of Public Health, 35(6), pp. 1248-1254. Available at: 10.1093/eurpub/ckaf188
