High prevalence of prenatal alcohol exposure detected by breathalyzer in the Republic of the Congo, Africa.

Objective: Assess the prevalence of prenatal alcohol exposure in the Republic of the Congo by measuring breath alcohol concentration (BrAC) levels using a breathalyzer device.

Methods: Pregnant women were assessed for alcohol use with a breathalyzer reading during two prenatal visits and during labor and delivery.

Results: Among 662 pregnant women consented and screened with a breathalyzer, 192 (29.

Prenatal alcohol exposure in the Republic of the Congo: prevalence and screening strategies.

Objective: To determine prevalence of prenatal alcohol use in Brazzaville, Congo and to evaluate a prenatal screening tool for use in this population.

Methods: A prospective population screening program of 3099 women at 10 prenatal care clinics in Brazzaville, Congo using the 1-Question screen. To validate the 1-Question screen in this population we screened 764 of these women again using the T-ACE as a gold standard for comparison study.