Letter to the Editor: Why do pregnant South African women drink alcohol? A call to action for more qualitative investigations

Abstract

Even though the adverse effects of alcohol consumption during pregnancy have been well documented, millions of babies each year continue to be affected by fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). This is concerning given that FASD is completely preventable. FASDs have been documented across a variety of races and geographical regions worldwide, yet the highest known prevalence rates are recorded in Africa. Specifically, for every 1000 children born in the Western Cape Province of South Africa, approximately 59.3 to 91.0 are determined to have fetal alcohol syndrome, the most severe form of FASD. While the risk factors contributing to FASDs have been examined quantitatively among South African women, there is a dearth of qualitative investigations that articulate and contextualize the underling motivations, beliefs, and attitudes that influence these risk factors. Qualitative investigations have been conducted in other geographic regions (e.g., Australia), but are not generalizable to South Africa. Qualitative investigations, which explore the familial, social, cultural, and economic factors that influence maternal drinking, are needed to inform future health promotion programs and interventions aimed at decreasing and ultimately eliminating maternal alcohol consumption among South African women.The purpose of this commentary is to compare and contrast global prevalence rates of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs) and to serve as a call to action for additional research in communities that exhibit excessively high prevalence rates. The Western Cape of South Africa will be used as a heuristic example of an area ripe for additional inquiry into why mothers consume alcohol during pregnancy.

I Drank Because I Wanted to Deal With the Frustration”: Explaining Alcohol Consumption During Pregnancy in a Low-Resource Setting – Women’s, Partners and Family Members’ Narratives

“…Most of these studies have, however, been quantitative. Their emphasis, as a result, has not been on articulating and contextualising the manner in which pregnant women navigate drinking (Olusanya & Barry, 2015). Qualitative research is required to understand the meaning women ascribe to drinking during pregnancy in order to inform interventions.…”

“…In line with Olusanya and Barry's (2015) call for more qualitative research on this topic in South Africa, this study investigated the narratives of women who have consumed alcohol during their pregnancies, as well as the narratives of the partners and family members of such women. The study took place in low-resource area in Buffalo City, South Africa.…”