General practitioners, pregnancy and addictions in France in 2015

Abstract

Abstract Background Tobacco smoking and alcohol drinking during pregnancy result in serious health hazard for both the baby and the mother. In France, about 17% of pregnant women smoke and 20% consume alcohol. General practitioners (GPs) can have an active role in preventing those behaviors as they often interact with pregnant patients: one quarter of French pregnant women have had at least one antenatal visit with a GP. The aim of our study is to describe French GPs’ practices (screening and counseling) toward pregnant patients regarding tobacco smoking and alcohol drinking. Methods In 2015, a telephone survey was set based on a stratified random sampling of metropolitan France GPs. A representative sample of 1,414 French GPs completed the study. Results Screening for alcohol consumption at least once for every patient was done by 61% of GPs and for smoking by 82% of GPs. Counselling to quit alcohol consumption was done by 77% of GPs while counselling to quit smoking was done by about 90% of them. GPs’ practices were significantly better among those who had more recent ongoing training. Regular drinkers GPs were less likely to systematically screen for alcohol use and GPs’ alcohol use frequency was adversely related to recommending quitting. Current and former smokers GPs were less likely to recommend quitting to pregnant patients smoking over 5 cigarettes per day. Conclusions Screening for alcohol use and smoking during pregnancy is not yet systematic among GPs in France. GPs’ prevention role with pregnant patients could be emphasized, potentially through initial and ongoing trainings adaptation. Besides, as regular alcohol use and smoking are related to unwanted practices, prevention for the benefit of GPs could be even more fruitful. Key messages Screening for alcohol use and smoking during pregnancy is not systematically done by French GPs. GPs’ prevention role with pregnant patients could be emphasized, potentially through initial and ongoing trainings adaptation.