Public awareness and knowledge about the risks of drinking during pregnancy in Multnomah County, Oregon

Public awareness of the risks of drinking during pregnancy was assessed in a Northwestern metropolitan county. Ninety per cent of respondents stated spontaneously that drinking might be harmful, and one-fourth of this group felt pregnant women should customarily abstain from alcohol. The balance of those who considered drinking harmful felt an average of more than three drinks was safe for daily use. Thus awareness of risk does not necessarily result in recommendation of low-risk behavior.