FASD – A Public Health Stealth Bomber

FASD – A Public Health Stealth Bomber

The 9^th International Research Conference on Adolescents and Adults with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) which was held in Seattle, Washington, received little public attention. However, it was important for many reasons, one of them being the stealth nature of FASD that can be likened to the US military’s stealth bomber.

In 1997, the US military introduced the Northrop B-2 Spirit otherwise known as the Stealth Bomber that has the ability to penetrate dense anti-aircraft defences. The stealth bomber that is FASD was the focus of my doctoral study at UKZN in 2021. It places a huge burden on public health systems in South Africa and negatively impacts labour productivity and family life.

Sub-Saharan Africa has among the highest per capita rates of alcohol consumption in the world. Alcohol consumption increased during the COVID-19 pandemic despite social distancing policies and prohibition of alcohol sales in some countries. The World Health Organization (WHO) notes that, globally, one in 10 women consume alcohol during pregnancy, and 20% of these women binge drink. South Africa has the highest FASD prevalence rates in the world, averaging 6% and rising as high as 28% in some communities. This prompted the national Department of Health to declare it a public health concern.

An article in The Conversation notes that FASD is the leading developmental disability in Canada, and that more people suffer from it than autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy and Down syndrome combined. Studies by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that 0.2 to 1.5 cases of FASD occur in every 1 000 live births in certain areas of the US and scientists believe that about 2 to 5% of the American population may suffer from FASD. However, the disorder is very challenging to diagnose, and many experts believe that its prevalence is much higher.

Numerous studies have shown that maternal drinking is motivated by socio-cultural factors. My doctoral research focused on pregnant women who drink in Durban and the socio-cultural factors that influence them to do so, including family, friends and accessible shebeens and taverns in neighbourhoods.

It is imperative to reduce the number of pregnant women who consume alcohol. This calls for public awareness campaigns that highlight the consequences of FASD. International FASD Awareness Day on 9 September 2024 is an opportunity to remind members of the public that there is no safe amount of alcohol consumption during pregnancy. It is important that the Department of Health, scholars and the media use this day to educate South Africans on this scourge. Policymakers at municipal and provincial levels; female community leaders, social and antenatal workers and healthcare workers should be encouraged to deliver messages that resonate with pregnant women. Awareness and understanding are key to ensuring that FASD is not a stealth bomber.

*Dr Udoh James Akpan is a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Criminology and Forensic Study, College of Humanities, University of KwaZulu-Natal. He holds a PhD in Cultural and Media Studies, a Master’s degree in Communication Studies, as well as a Postgraduate Diploma in Public Administration, both from Lagos State University in Nigeria. Alongside his numerous accomplishments, qualifications, and affiliations, his research interests encompass Development Communication, particularly in the realms of public health, social change, and participatory communication. His expertise extends to areas such as culture, rural development, agricultural communication, trade, international and political communication, as well as organisational, corporate, and digital communication, with a specialisation in quality and human resources management.

*The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of KwaZulu-Natal.