author(s)
Priyanka Gajmer, Hano Yamang, Shika Gurung, Sonam Chukee Bhutia, Anjali Sharma Luitel, Priyanka Tamang, Chhang Chub Doma Sherpa, Laxmi Pradhan, Karma Doma Bhutia, Hissey Choden Lepcha, Shrada Pradhan, Bani Pega, Riva Das, Sangay Lhaden, Arkierupaia Shadap and Pema Wangden Bhutia

abstract
Pregnancy, the nine month or so far which a women carries a developing embryo and fetus in a womb is for the most women time of great happiness and fulfillment. Pregnancy outcomes can be influenced by various factors, of which lifestyles behaviors e.g. alcohol consumption is one of them. The baby is in a constant state of growth and development over the entire course of pregnancy, but, consuming alcohol can lead to various health problems to the baby, which can lead to lifelong physical, behavioral and intellectual disabilities. These disabilities are known as Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). Hence, the present study aimed to assess and compare the knowledge and attitude on the effect of alcohol consumption during pregnancy among the childbearing women of urban and rural areas of Sikkim. Investigators adopted quantitative non-experimental and comparative descriptive survey design. A total of 300 childbearing women between the age group of 18- 45years residing in urban and rural area of Sikkim, were selected through purposive sampling technique as samples. Two tools which were used i.e. Tool 1: Demographic Performa, Personal Lifestyle and Pre- designed Knowledge Questionnaire and Tool 2 consist of 5 point Likert scale for assessing attitude. Validation and reliability of tools were done and found ‘r = 1’. Data was collected after getting clearance from IEC and written consent from the sample. Result shows majority 68% and 58.6% of samples has average knowledge in urban and rural areas respectively. Majority 80% and 73.4% of samples has positive attitude on alcohol consumption in pregnancy in the urban and rural areas respectively. There was a significant association between knowledge with selected demographic variables and no association was found between the attitudes with selected demographic variables. The study concluded, that majority of samples have average knowledge and attitude towards the effect of alcoholism during pregnancy was positive. This indicates still there is a need for further improvement of the knowledge about the effect of alcohol consumption during pregnancy among the childbearing women for a complete positive attitude.