Shocking levels of foetal alcohol syndrome in Bay

Foundation for Alcohol Related Research (FARR) chief executive Leana Olivier said they had examined Grade 1 pupils in 14 schools in Bethelsdorp, Helenvale and the greater Nelson Mandela Bay area.

They found that, on average, 130 out of every 1 000 pupils had foetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD).

FASD is the most severe form of FAS, which can be 100% prevented by women not consuming any alcohol during pregnancy.

Olivier said 13% was just the average, and in some areas the number was much higher.

The numbers are higher than those in Wellington or De Aar, areas that made international headlines in 2002.

“We were also struck by the high rates of malnutrition in both moms and babies,” Olivier said.

“I think that instead of blaming the moms, people should also realise that having a child with FASD is an extremely heavy burden on a woman.”

FASD is marked by severe brain damage, but also includes shorter-than-average height, low body weight, poor coordination, hyperactive behaviour, attention difficulties, poor memory, speech and language delays and problems with vision, hearing, heart, kidneys and bones.

The research was commissioned by the Eastern Cape Liquor Board and funded by South Africa Breweries.

The project, which started in 2013 and will wrap up next year, was done in conjunction with the departments of education, social development and health.

“The FASD prevalence rate revealed in the study gave an indication of the high level of alcohol abuse in Nelson Mandela Bay,” Olivier said.

“This has farreaching and serious implications on the educational, psychosocial and economic wellbeing of the affected children, their families and the community at large.

“With this project we strive to raise awareness and empower local [health workers] and community members to prevent alcohol abuse during pregnancy and ultimately FASD,” she said.

South Africa had the highest rates of foetal alcohol syndrome in the world and Nelson Mandela Bay had the highest rate in South Africa, she said.

Eastern Cape Liquor Board chief executive Khanyile Maneli said FASD was regarded as a threat to society.

“We are fully cognisant of the burden that FASD places on our already strained economy. We are rolling out vigorous strategic initiatives to raise awareness about the inherent dangers of drinking alcohol during pregnancy.”

Olivier said they found that children with FASD were being exploited by gangs, often suffered from depression are were also susceptible to drug and alcohol abuse themselves, as they often received no help to cope with their disabilities.

South African Breweries alcohol policy head Bongumusa Makhathini said the company strongly advocated against mothers consuming alcohol while pregnant, for their own health and the safety of their babies.

Olivier said they had engaged with teachers and school principals about how to help pupils diagnosed with FASD.

She said they had also trained 182 foundation-phase teachers and 70 social workers on how to manage pupils with FASD, and were busy training health professionals and community workers to help moms and children with FASD.

“In September, FARR’s evidence-based programme, Healthy Mother Healthy Baby, was launched,” she said.

The Healthy Mother Health Baby programme manager in Bethelsdorp, Linda Bukasa, said they had implemented a number of initiatives to spread awareness about FAS, including an annual abstinence day.

Olivier said one of the contributing factors to FASD was that 75% of pregnancies in South Africa were unplanned and confirmed very late.

“This can result in some women consuming alcohol without knowing they are pregnant,” she said.