Zandisile Luphahla

There’s been a dramatic drop of 30% in the incidence of foetal alcohol syndrome disorders (FASD) in the province since 2002, apparently as a result of successful prevention programmes by the Foundation for Alcohol Related Research.

FASD, which are linked to alcohol consumption by mothers during pregnancy, is among the most common causes of learning disability among children worldwide, yet it is preventable.

Premier Hazel Jenkins has welcomed the decline, saying this was the first time a drop in FASD had ever been reported anywhere in the world.

South Africa, especially the Northern Cape, has the highest reported prevalence of FASD in the world.

“My office, together with the department of health and the communities of De Aar and Upington, invited the Foundation for Alcohol Related Research to assess the problem of FASD in De Aar and to assist with the management thereof.

“The prevention project commenced in 2002 with a FASD prevalence study among Grade 1 pupils involving all the schools in the De Aar area,” Jenkins said.

She said the study provided basic information and was followed by an intensive community awareness drive, whereby the foundation strived to involve all possible stakeholders. These included the departments of social development and health, other NGOs, community and church leaders and the community at large.

She said the community awareness programme included an extensive media campaign, training of professionals and community members and door-to-door dissemination of information.

In earlier studies, De Aar and Upington were rated as the towns with the highest reported cases of FASD in South Africa.

The study took place from 2002 to 2006 in De Aar and from 2005 to 2010 in Upington.

Prof Dennis Viljoen, head researcher at the foundation, said the 30% decline showed that awareness and education played an important role in combatting FASD.

The next study will take place in Galeshewe and Roodepan in Kimberley.

provinces@thenewage.co.za