Table 2 Exploratory factor analysis of the belief items - initial rotated factor solution (n = 151)

Asking pregnant women about whether they have consumed alcohol during pregnancy can make them feel uncomfortable

.780

Will cause anxiety and guilt among women who have consumed alcohol during pregnancy

.769

-.122

-.106

Pregnant women don’t like to be asked about whether they have consumed alcohol during pregnancy

.721

-.104

Will lead to some women feeling judged

.710

.183

.199

-.163

-.144

Will distress or anger pregnant women

.690

.163

-.101

Could make women fear losing custody of their child

.627

-.142

Asking pregnant women whether they have consumed alcohol during pregnancy could appear judgemental

.561

.325

I don’t like asking pregnant women to describe their behaviours which may have harmed their child

.547

.224

Will threaten my relationship with pregnant women

.521

.234

.160

I have doubts about whether I am doing the right thing when pregnant women who have only consumed small amounts of alcohol experience guilt after discussing their alcohol consumption

.470

.241

.151

Will uncover complex problems that are difficult for us to address as midwives

.428

-.229

Offers little real benefit for women who are not in high risk groups

.298

-.130

.225

.149

Women who have consumed alcohol during pregnancy will consider terminating their pregnancy if asked about their alcohol consumption

.206

.148

.113

.170

When I discuss the effects on the fetus and child of alcohol consumption during pregnancy I know what to say (R)

.935

-.136

I have sufficient referral resources to adequately address alcohol use problems once identified (R)

-.106

.723

.167

-.199

I have a good understanding of the evidence for the recommendation of no alcohol in pregnancy (R)

.599

.284

-.144

I always know what to say when I ask pregnant women about whether they have consumed alcohol during pregnancy (R)

.484

-.154

.203

.270

I know exactly what I need to do to ask pregnant women about whether they have consumed alcohol during pregnancy (R)

.430

.216

.125

.159

Improves women’s awareness of the importance of not consuming alcohol during pregnancy (R)

-.114

.698

-.180

.109

Will identify women who need support to stop consuming alcohol during pregnancy (R)

.688

Is necessary for me to provide appropriate advice and support (R)

.635

Will enable changes in behaviour and improved health outcomes for the mother and child (R)

.606

.184

Brief intervention (assessment, feedback, counselling and referral to a specialist if necessary) to decrease alcohol exposure in pregnancy is effective (R)

.262

.492

Will make it easier to diagnose or exclude alcohol related problems in the child (R)

.127

.318

.191

-.167

Documentation of any amount of alcohol exposure in pregnancy is important (R)

-.111

.987

Identifying all women who drink any amount of alcohol during pregnancy is good practice (R)

.731

Identifying all women who drink alcohol during pregnancy can help to improve health outcomes (R)

.177

.165

.510

-.224

.124

I don’t have sufficient time to ask every pregnant woman about whether they have consumed alcohol during pregnancy

.115

-.267

.490

.206

I am uncomfortable asking pregnant women about their alcohol consumption before establishing a relationship of trust with them

-.151

.207

-.101

.800

I am uncomfortable asking pregnant women about their alcohol consumption when it is the first time I have met them

.600

I am uncomfortable asking pregnant women about their alcohol consumption as I may have a responsibility to notify the Department of

.243

-.126

.551

Child Protection

When I feel short of time I am less likely to ask pregnant women about whether they have consumed alcohol during pregnancy

.386

-.201

It is difficult to ask pregnant women about alcohol consumption during pregnancy without good knowledge of the effects of alcohol consumption during pregnancy on the fetus and child

-.242

.379

I have the required skills to ask every pregnant woman about whether they have consumed alcohol during pregnancy (R)

.345

.126

.353

Most pregnant women already have good knowledge about alcohol consumption in pregnancy

-.121

.920

Most pregnant women know not to drink alcohol during pregnancy

.766