Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
A. Purpose
The purpose of this Health Indicator
Report is to provide information on
knowledge and beliefs about the
effect of drinking alcohol during
pregnancy, among Halton adults
aged 18 and over.
B. Data Sources
The data source used for this report
was the Rapid Risk Factor
Surveillance System (RRFSS).2
Alcohol use during pregnancy has the potential to harm an unborn baby; it is
dangerous during all stages of pregnancy, but especially the first trimester. The effect
of alcohol on the unborn baby varies depending on many factors such as the stage of
the pregnancy and the frequency, quantity, and pattern of maternal consumption.
Health Canada recommends that women abstain from alcohol use throughout
pregnancy.1
Key Findings

In 2012, 71% (±3) of Halton adults aged 18 and over responded that alcohol
use during pregnancy could be harmful to an unborn baby, down significantly
from 83% (±3) in 2007. Those who indicated that alcohol use is not harmful
during pregnancy increased significantly from 2007 [9% (±2)] to 2012 [16%
(±2)]. There was also a significant increase in those who responded it
depends, up from the 8% (±2) reported in 2007 to 14% (±2) in 2012 (see
Figure 1).

In 2012, 56% (±3) of Halton adults aged 18 and over believed that alcohol
use at any time throughout pregnancy was harmful, 21% (±2) during the
beginning of pregnancy, 4%*(±1) during the middle or end, 3%* (±1)
answered didn’t know, and 17% (±2) believed it was not harmful during
pregnancy, which was up significantly from 2007 [10% (±2)] (see Figure 2).

In 2012, when Halton adults aged 18 and over were asked about the
potential health problems alcohol causes, 60% (±3) believed that it could
cause permanent birth defects or deformities, 60% (±3) that it could cause
permanent brain damage, 54% (±3) that the baby could be born with alcohol
in its system, and 16% (±2) that it would have no adverse health effects,
which was up significantly from 2007 [10% (±2)] (see Figure 3).
RRFSS is an ongoing, monthly
telephone survey of adults aged 18
and over who live in private
households. Within households, the
adult with the most recent birthday is
selected to participate in the survey.
Since 2001, 1200 Halton Region
residents have been surveyed on a
yeary basis. Random digit dialling is
used to select households.
C. Data Collection Period
January to June 2007
January to December 2012
D. Definitions
A 95% confidence interval (CI) refers
to the range of values that has a 95%
chance of including the ‘true’
estimate. A large CI means that
there is a large amount of variability
or imprecision. When CI's do not
overlap, estimates are significantly
different. CI’s are reported in
brackets or presented as I in the
graphs.
Coefficient of variation (CV) refers to
the precision of the estimate. When
the CV is between 16.6 and 33.3, the
estimate should be interpreted with
caution because of high variability
and has been marked with an
asterisk (*). Estimates with a CV of
33.3 or greater are not reportable
and have been marked with double
asterisks (**) in the graphs and
tables.
Sex

In 2012, the percent of Halton adults aged 18 and over who responded that
alcohol use during pregnancy was harmful to an unborn baby was not
significantly different between males 70% (±4) and females 71% (±3).
Differences were statistically significant when compared to 2007 (data not
shown).
Age Group

In 2012, the percent of Halton adults aged 18 and over who believed that
alcohol use during pregnancy was harmful to an unborn baby did not differ
significantly by age group (see Figure 4).

The percent of Halton adults aged 25-44 who believe that alcohol use during
pregnancy is harmful to the unborn baby decreased significantly from 85%
(±5) in 2007 to 71% (±5) in 2012 (see Figure 4).

The percent of Halton adults aged 45-64 who believe that alcohol use during
pregnancy is harmful to the unborn baby decreased significantly from 79%
(±6) in 2007 to 68% (±4) in 2012 (see Figure 4).

Although the percent of adults aged 18-24 who believed that alcohol use
during pregnancy was harmful was higher than the other age groups, the
difference was not statistically significant (see Figure 4).
Municipality

In 2012, the percent of Halton adults aged 18 and over who believed that
alcohol use during pregnancy was harmful to an unborn baby did not differ
significantly by municipality. Differences were statistically significant when
compared to 2007 for Burlington, Oakville and Halton Hills (Figure 5).
Figure 1: Percent of Adults Aged 18 and Over who Believe that Alcohol Use
During Pregnancy is Harmful to the Unborn Baby, Halton Region,
2007 and 2012
E. Limitations
RRFSS results are self-reported and
may not be recalled accurately.
Individuals not living in households
(such as those in prison, hospitals, or
the homeless) were excluded.
Individuals who live in a household
without a landline telephone (about
12% of all Ontario households)3 will
also not be reached through RRFSS.
As a result, the percentages may not
represent the true estimates for the
general population.
Figure 2: Percent of Adults Aged 18 and Over who Believe that Alcohol Use
During Pregnancy is Harmful to the Unborn Baby at the Beginning,
Middle/End, or Throughout the Pregnancy, Halton Region, 2007
and 2012
Household (HH) weights were used
for any questions related to
individuals. The HH weight adjusts
for the fact that an adult in a larger
HH is less likely to be selected than
an adult in a smaller HH.
Rounded estimates were used for the
presentation of data, thus estimates
may not total 100 percent. Rounded
CI’s were used for the presentation of
data; however, non-rounded CI’s
were used to determine significant
differences.
Figure 3: Percent of Adults Aged 18 and Over who Believe that Alcohol Use
During Pregnancy Could Cause Specific Health Effects, Halton
Region, 2007 and 2012
Refused responses were excluded
from all the analysis. Don’t know
responses were excluded from the
analysis of data presented in Figure
1, Figure 4 and Figure 5.
F. References
1
PHAC. Alcohol Use and Pregnancy: An
Important Canadian Public Health and
Social Issue (http://www.phacaspc.gc.ca/publicat/fasd-ru-ectaf-pr06/1-eng.php)
2
Rapid Risk Factor Surveillance System
(http://www.rrfss.on.ca)
3
Ialomiteanu, A., Adlaf, E. M. (2011).
CAMH Monitor 2010: Technical Guide.
Retrieved May 2012, from http://
www.camh.ca/en/research/Documents/
www.camh.net/Research/
Areas_of_research/
Population_Life_Course_Studies/
CAMH_Monitor/CM2010_TechDoc.pdf
Figure 4: Percent of Adults Aged 18 and Over who Believe that Alcohol Use
During Pregnancy is Harmful to the Unborn Baby, by Age Group,
Halton Region, 2007 and 2012
Figure 5: Percent of Adults Aged 18 and Over who Believe that Alcohol Use
During Pregnancy is Harmful to the Unborn Baby, by Municipality
Halton Region, 2007 and 2012
Last Revised: December 4, 2013