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SA hit with highest rate of foetal alcohol syndrome
Deneesha Pillay
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THREE million South Africans suffer from foetal alcohol syndrome.
And the country has the highest reported rate of the disease in the world.
Studies undertaken by the Foundation for Alcohol Related Research (FARR), which has gained world-wide recognition for its work, have shown that in De Aar in the Northern Cape the prevalence rate is as high as 18%. In Gauteng, this stands at about 2.1%. A three-year research project undertaken by the foundation showed that the Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD), is on the increase in urban areas and among young, black mothers.
The investigation found that 6.09% – almost seven in every 100 – of the children examined had FASD.
In some areas in Galeshewe, Kimberly, the figure went up to 11%.
The Department of Health estimates the average prevalence in South Africa at 6%. The next highest rate in the world is 1% in the US.
In France and Sweden by comparison, the rate is between 1 and 3 per 1 000 births.
The foundations chief executive, Leana Olivier, said some people still believed that a woman had to be an alcoholic to give birth to a child with foetal alcohol syndrome.
“The truth is, however, that no amount of alcohol is safe during pregnancy,” Olivier said.
All pregnant mothers who use – not necessarily abuse – alcohol during pregnancy are at risk of producing a baby with abnormal signs and symptoms.
Karen, 33, a mother of four who lives with her partner in De Aar in the Northern Cape, said she was a social drinker, who had no knowledge of foetal alcohol spectrum disorder or even the more publicised foetal alchohol syndrome.
Her surname is not being published to protect the identity of her children.
Her first child, now 15, is suspected of having FASD. Her second child, 13, was diagnosed with FASD as part of a foundation’s study.
When Karen found out that she was the cause of damage (including a heart problem) to her child, she was “devastated, heart sore and depressed”.
She said: “I have to take care of them because I have caused them to struggle like this.”
The Department of Health and Social Development, in an attempt to address alcohol abuse, is pushing for a ban on alcohol advertising.
The ban, which will be implemented through the National Drug Master Plan – rolled out jointly with the department – serves as the country’s blueprint for preventing and reducing alcohol and substance abuse.
Objectives of the plan will be overseen by the Central Drug Authority (CDA).
The CDA will enforce alcohol control legislation in an effort to reduce the incidence of the syndrome.
-Shelley Seid
http://herald.timesmedia.co.za/sa-hit-highest-rate-foetal-alcohol-syndrome/amp/
Deneesha Pillay
Upload FAS
THREE million South Africans suffer from foetal alcohol syndrome.
And the country has the highest reported rate of the disease in the world.
Studies undertaken by the Foundation for Alcohol Related Research (FARR), which has gained world-wide recognition for its work, have shown that in De Aar in the Northern Cape the prevalence rate is as high as 18%. In Gauteng, this stands at about 2.1%. A three-year research project undertaken by the foundation showed that the Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD), is on the increase in urban areas and among young, black mothers.
The investigation found that 6.09% – almost seven in every 100 – of the children examined had FASD.
In some areas in Galeshewe, Kimberly, the figure went up to 11%.
The Department of Health estimates the average prevalence in South Africa at 6%. The next highest rate in the world is 1% in the US.
In France and Sweden by comparison, the rate is between 1 and 3 per 1 000 births.
The foundations chief executive, Leana Olivier, said some people still believed that a woman had to be an alcoholic to give birth to a child with foetal alcohol syndrome.
“The truth is, however, that no amount of alcohol is safe during pregnancy,” Olivier said.
All pregnant mothers who use – not necessarily abuse – alcohol during pregnancy are at risk of producing a baby with abnormal signs and symptoms.
Karen, 33, a mother of four who lives with her partner in De Aar in the Northern Cape, said she was a social drinker, who had no knowledge of foetal alcohol spectrum disorder or even the more publicised foetal alchohol syndrome.
Her surname is not being published to protect the identity of her children.
Her first child, now 15, is suspected of having FASD. Her second child, 13, was diagnosed with FASD as part of a foundation’s study.
When Karen found out that she was the cause of damage (including a heart problem) to her child, she was “devastated, heart sore and depressed”.
She said: “I have to take care of them because I have caused them to struggle like this.”
The Department of Health and Social Development, in an attempt to address alcohol abuse, is pushing for a ban on alcohol advertising.
The ban, which will be implemented through the National Drug Master Plan – rolled out jointly with the department – serves as the country’s blueprint for preventing and reducing alcohol and substance abuse.
Objectives of the plan will be overseen by the Central Drug Authority (CDA).
The CDA will enforce alcohol control legislation in an effort to reduce the incidence of the syndrome.
-Shelley Seid
http://herald.timesmedia.co.za/sa-hit-highest-rate-foetal-alcohol-syndrome/amp/
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