A novel prenatal alcohol use risk perception model: feedback from a Delphi process

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Psychology
• Sociology

Background:

• Prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) poses significant risks to fetal development.
• Effective communication and prevention strategies require understanding women's risk perception.
• A prior systematic review established the Pregnancy Alcohol Use Risk Perception (PARP) conceptual model.

Purpose of the Study:

• To refine the existing PARP conceptual model through expert consensus.
• To enhance the understanding of factors influencing PAE risk perception.
• To improve the development of targeted interventions for alcohol use during pregnancy.

Main Methods:

• A Delphi process involving 37 international experts was employed.
• Three online surveys were conducted between May and December 2022.
• Data were collected using Likert-scale and free-text responses, analyzed with descriptive and reflexive thematic analysis.

Main Results:

• The PARP model was revised based on expert feedback.
• Four key characteristics emerged: self-relevance/risk negotiation, affect-cognition interplay, socioecological contextual influences, and dynamic nature of risk perception.
• Experts confirmed the model's utility and clarity.

Conclusions:

• The refined PARP model offers a comprehensive socioecological perspective on PAE risk perception.
• Acknowledging individual, sociocultural, and institutional factors is crucial for tailored health messages.
• This enhanced model can guide the development of more effective PAE prevention strategies.