Rates of Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder are high in South Africa.
The Foundation For Alcohol Related Research (FARR) recently concluded a three-year study in the Saldanha Bay Municipality, which includes five small seaside towns on South Africa’s scenic West Coast.
It found a Foetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorder (FASD) – the umbrella term used to describe a spectrum of conditions of which FAS is the most extreme – prevalence rate of 6.42% (64 per 1,000) among children in Grade 1.
The prevalence rate of FASD in South Africa is several times higher than in other countries around the world.
Intoxicating alcohol norm
FARR says it’s socially acceptable to abuse alcohol in South Africa.
According to studies by the Medical Research Council, women from lower socioeconomic backgrounds are unlikely to consume alcohol alone, unless addicted. They use alcohol with friends, family and their partners.