ALCOHOL exposure during pregnancy is the leading cause of preventable intellectual disability in the world. It can lead to serious and lifelong disabilities collectively referred to as Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD).
“What makes this a matter of utmost urgency is that South Africa has by far the highest FASD rate in the world,” said Dr Leana Olivier (CEO FARR).
“FASD can be caused only by alcohol exposure during pregnancy, so if we can prevent alcohol exposure in the nine months a woman is pregnant, we can prevent FASD. The damage that we can prevent includes organ damage, such as brain damage, leading to life-long learning and behavioural challenges.
“Even small amounts of alcohol have the potential to cause harm. We cannot say with any certainty that there is an amount of alcohol that is risk-free. Even if a baby is born without FASD, we cannot be sure that there was not still damage done to critical brain functions. Therefore, our message is that no alcohol is safe at any time during pregnancy,” said Dr Olivier.
At present FARR has 11 project sites from where comprehensive FASD research, awareness, prevention, and training programmes are offered with one being at Kirkwood.
The main objectives of these interventions are to increase the knowledge about alcohol harm amongst community members and service providers (such as health professionals, social workers, and educators) and to provide them with the necessary skills to address the multitude of problems caused by alcohol abuse in their communities.
“Even when people know what is in their best interest it does not necessarily mean they will act. Stepping up and helping the mother to stop using alcohol at the earliest possible moment, or to help her strictly limit her alcohol consumption, will improve the birth outcomes of the baby.
“The complex relationship we have with alcohol means that it is not as easy as “just not drinking” during pregnancy. Commit yourself today on International Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders awareness day, to spreading awareness about the risks of FASD, but also commit yourself to love and support mothers-to-be during their pregnancies. Understand their struggles and stand by them, that is how you do harm reduction,” said Dr Olivier.
- For more information visit the website www.farrsa.org.sa
