The Trajectory of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) Across the Life Span: Continuing Prevention and Longitudinal Epidemiology

Screen women of childbearing age (15 - 44 years) for high risk drinking in antenatal clinics of the established research sites in the Western Cape Province of South Africa (SA). While there are multiple reasons for this screening, the purpose is for selective (secondary) prevention of FASD. A.) Initiate a case control trial/efficacy study (n=400) of the use of one-session brief motivation enhancement therapy (MET) in busy public health settings (versus information only) in these rich research sites where very high rates of FASD have been documented over the entirety of the past two decades. B.) These targeted prevention activities follow both findings and staff experience in prevention over the past decade which indicate that the most likely venue for prevention activities is in antenatal clinics of the local, primary care clinics and hospitals. These activities will also provide tangible community-level pay back for participation in ongoing research activities and lay the groundwork for sustainable services going forward.