Following the Alcohol Healthwatch study conducted by Dr Trecia Wouldes of Auckland University, doctors and nurses show an urge for acquiring more knowledge regarding the ill-effects of alcohol and drug use on pregnant women, so that they can warn about the same..

Dr. Wouldes said, "Most of those surveyed indicated they would welcome further training on advising women about the dangers of alcohol and drug use during pregnancy. Many also said they would find it useful to have a standard set of questions about alcohol and drug use that they could go through with patients. Most healthcare workers believed pregnant women should abstain from drinking and drug taking, but said there were gaps in their knowledge. Health professionals are uniquely placed to prevent another generation from unnecessary risk and it is important that their education be increased dramatically”.

It was found in the study that mere 25% of the surveyed 241 doctors and nurses were able to identify the four main criteria for a diagnosis of foetal alcohol syndrome.

Alcohol Healthwatch director Rebecca Williams said, "Previous studies have focused on what women do during pregnancy but little was known about the sort of advice they were receiving from their doctor or midwife. The findings from this study show we have a great opportunity to work with health professionals”.