The teratogenic effects of prenatal alcohol exposure can significantly influence the
development of a child, which may result in a range of structural, cognitive and behavioural
abnormalities. The severity of these effects can vary and fall under the fetal alcohol spectrum
disorder (FASD). South Africa hosts the highest prevalence rate (12%) of this disorder in the
world.
All conditions included in the FASD spectrum are completely preventable through maternal
abstinence of alcohol during pregnancy. At present, very limited information is available
regarding how much pregnant women in South Africa know about adverse effects caused by
prenatal alcohol exposure. This study aimed to determine pregnant women’s awareness of
alcohol’s potential teratogenic effects on pregnancy and their knowledge of the features and
characteristics associated with fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), the most severe of the FASD
conditions. Additionally, the study compared the awareness and knowledge of pregnant women
attending private antenatal centres, to those attending an antenatal clinic at Charlotte Maxeke
Johannesburg Academic Hospital, a state hospital in the Johannesburg area.
Participants (n=211) completed a self-administered questionnaire at their private antenatal
class or state clinic. A total of 211 questionnaires were analysed; 107 questionnaires from the
state antenatal clinic and 104 from the private antenatal centres. The awareness levels regarding
alcohol use in pregnancy were found to be very similar amongst the private (52%) and state
(55%) participants. However, results indicated that significantly more private participants
(19%), compared to state participants (3%) could be classified as having knowledge of the
condition FAS.
Overall, this study found that pregnant women from various backgrounds have limited
knowledge of the harms caused by alcohol use during pregnancy. Misconceptions about the
acceptable levels of maternal alcohol consumption and the effects thereof were also evident.
The results of this research highlights that prevention strategies and awareness campaigns
regarding alcohol use during pregnancy should incorporate information on the severity and
permanent nature of FAS, as well as highlighting the fact that all types of alcoholic beverages
can result in this condition. Also, these campaigns should focus on informing women that no
level of alcohol is acceptable during pregnancy, as any amount may have potentially
teratogenic effects on the developing fetus.