SANCA Vaal – What is FASD?
Foetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorder is the umbrella term used to describe the range of effects on the foetus due to the mother consuming alcohol. FASD is the result of maternal alcohol use during pregnancy. The teratogenic (harmful/poisonous) effects that alcohol has on the foetus are irreversible, and are characterised by lifelong physical and cognitive impairment, which often manifests in the FASD individual experiencing learning and behavioural difficulties, generally finding it extremely difficult to manage the day-to-day functions/activities that they face. This can often lead to delinquent, or risky behaviour, crime, violence, and substance use.
FASD in South Africa
The first FAS and partial prevalence study was undertaken in the Western Cape Province in 1997, reporting rates of 46 per 1 000 grade 1 learners in 1997, increasing to 74 per 1 000 in 1999 and 89.2 per 1 000 in 2001. In these studies, the focus was on FAS involving all the consenting grade 1 learners in the study area.
Since 1997, various prevalence studies in SA have revealed FAS rates as high as 26 per 1 000 in Gauteng; 64 per 1 000 in Upington, 74.7per 1 000 in Kimberley and 119.4 per 1000 in De Aar, Northern Cape, respectively; 290 per 1000 in the Winelands area (Western Cape).
When compared with similar studies undertaken in other countries, such as the reported FASD rates of 10 – 15 per 1 000 in the USA; 10 per 1 000 in Canada; 35 per 1 000 in Italy; 18 per 1 000 in France; 20 per 1 000 in Poland; and 12 per 1 000 in Croatia, the extent of the SA FASD challenge is self-evident.
Twenty years after the Foundation for Alcohol Related Research was founded to conduct research on Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD), South Africa is still facing the devastating effects of prenatal alcohol use, with FASD prevalence rates as high as 250/1000 (25%) in the Western Cape and 282/1000 (28%) in the Northern Cape provinces.
Elsewhere in the country, such as in the Eastern Cape province, rates as high as 130/1000 (13%) have been reported. A recent international meta-analysis, reviewing the reported global FASD prevalence rates, states that the South African FASD rates are 14 times higher than most of the rest of the world.
A general lack of knowledge about the harmful effects of prenatal alcohol exposure appears to be one of the biggest hurdles to overcome in the fight against FASD. When faced with her child’s FASD diagnosis, the common maternal outcry is: “If only I had known!” (that I was pregnant or about FASD).
Of great concern is that even if a pregnancy is confirmed at an early stage, a disturbing number of women receive incorrect information from health professionals, such as “it is safe to drink one or two glasses of wine per day” or “you can start using alcohol again during the last three (or six) months of pregnancy”. The devastating result of this is often a FASD diagnosis. It is generally agreed by leaders in the field that there is no way of determining what a safe amount of alcohol during pregnancy is, but that abstinence during pregnancy is the safest option.
Preventing FASD is not the sole task of the pregnant woman. Fathers and support structures can also make a difference in the prevention of FASD. Many partners will support their pregnant spouse by abstaining from alcohol, studies show that woman are more likely to abstain from alcohol consumption during pregnancy if their partners do so. Effective prevention of FASD requires both male and female to fulfil their roles during the pregnancy. Both genders have a part to play in the reduction of FASD incidence in South African.
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