Foetal alcohol syndrome disorder in South Africa: Understanding the enablers of alcohol consumption during pregnancy
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.38140/ijss-2025.vol5.1.01Keywords:
Maternal alcohol consumption, alcohol abuse, unplanned pregnancies, intimate partner violence, mental health challenges, socioeconomic hardshipAbstract
Foetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) remains one of the leading causes of non-genetic intellectual and developmental disabilities globally. Although there is no reliable estimate of the national burden of FASD in South Africa, a recent study reported a prevalence of 310 per 1,000 live births in a community within the Western Cape Province. This study reviews existing literature on the factors that enable and influence alcohol consumption among pregnant women in South Africa. A scoping review was conducted in August 2024. Using PubMed, ScienceDirect, JSTOR, and EBSCOHost, a Boolean search was conducted focussing solely on studies related to alcohol consumption among pregnant women or FASD, carried out in South Africa and published in English between 2020 and 2024. Seventeen studies were identified as relevant to the phenomenon. Some of the key enablers identified include unplanned pregnancies, intimate partner violence, mental health challenges, and socioeconomic hardship. Due to systemic knowledge gaps and limited resources, interventions are frequently delayed, exacerbating the health and socioeconomic outcomes associated with FASD. Effective mitigation strategies require culturally sensitive public health campaigns, enhanced early diagnosis in rural areas, and trauma-informed, non-judgmental healthcare practices.
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