South Africa is considered to have the world’s highest reported rate of foetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). This condition affects a high number of children of women who have consumed alcohol during pregnancy, often harming themselves as well. Within the country, the provinces of Northern Cape, Western Cape and Eastern Cape are most severely affected.
A pattern of regular alcohol consumption by the mother, combined with a lack of health education and limited antenatal care are major drivers of FASD. Additional factors are peer influence, trauma experienced by the mother, and the role models available to her.
Who we aim to reach
Primary population: Pregnant women in selected towns in the Western Cape (Prince Albert), Eastern Cape (Graaff-Reinet) and Free State (Trompsburg).
Secondary groups: Health professionals and caregivers, partners and family of pregnant women, and members of the selected communities, particularly adolescent girls.
What we offer
AWARE.org supports the work of the Foundation for Alcohol Related Research (FARR) in these three communities. FARR has pioneered a successful FASD response that combines research, community awareness, preventive work with pregnant women, and education of other significant groups.
We enable FARR to:
- Provide employment in the selected communities.
- Conduct an FASD prevalence study in Trompsburg.
- Recruit pregnant women into the programme and conduct motivational interviews with them.
- Provide educational sessions for various groups.
Our partners
FARR.
AWARE.org members who work with FARR or have developed their own programmes to empower health workers to educate their patients and communities on FASD and sober pregnancies.