Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Overview

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Overview of the problem and statistics
Comparison of the problem between the aboriginal and Canadian populations
Why do Aboriginals need many health programs
Conclusion
References

Introduction

Alcohol has a myriad of negative effects that induce immense harm to a developing fetus and embryo. Depending on the level of exposure and developmental timing, abuse of alcohol may adversely contribute towards diverse and variable outcomes that can be observed as prenatal alcohol effects. Studies indicate that although alcohol consumption and its effects on pregnancy outcomes have been a major cause of concern throughout history, the ability of alcohol to massively interfere with teratogenicity was only realized after the 20^th century. Heaman, Gupton, and Moffatt (2005) indicate that today, alcohol is the leading cause of developmental disorders and birth defects in many nations including the United States of America. As analyzed in this paper, fetal alcohol syndrome has a serious adverse consequence on Canadian children due to exposure to prenatal alcohol. This paper analyses the issue of fetal alcohol syndrome among the aboriginal and Canadian populations.

Overview of the problem and statistics

Kodituwakka (2007) indicates that in Canada, neurodevelopmental disorders, mental retardation, and other serious birth defects in children are prevalent due to prenatal exposure to alcohol by pregnant women. Eighty percent of children born with fetal alcohol syndrome have behavioral abnormalities (Public Health Agency of Canada, 2008-09). About 50% of the affected children show identifiable facial anomalies like micrognathia, cleft palate, and maxillary hypoplasia (Public health agency of Canada, 2008-09). Other related problems include decreased adipose tissue, attention deficit hyperactive disorder, hypotonia, and poor coordination. Every year, out of 1000 children born in Canada, 9 suffer from fetal alcohol syndrome. Today, there are over 300,000 Canadians who are suffering from fetal alcohol syndrome disorders (Public Health Agency of Canada, 2002). This has put pressure on the government due to the high cost of treatment per child which is about $ 23,792 (Public Health Agency of Canada, 2002).

The number of Canadian pregnant women who are aware of the dangers of drinking while pregnant is high. However, statistics indicate that most of them cannot drop drinking when pregnant, and as such, about 37% of their babies are being exposed to alcohol from binge drinking (Public Health Agency of Canada, 2002). It is important to note that 37% of children exposed to alcohol come from women who take up to 5 drinks per day. Besides, another 42% of babies are exposed to alcohol from their mothers who take about 4 drinks per day (Public Health Agency of Canada, 2002). Other reports from the Fetal Alcohol Disorders Society in Canada indicate that special education services are being offered to approximately 20% of school children who have been affected by severe FAS conditions due to prenatal alcohol exposure (FASlink, 2011). The figure below shows the number of women in Canada who would never stop drinking alcohol even when pregnant.

Other reports for the Canadian Public Health indicate that binge drinking is prevalent among women who are unmarried and those who are employed compared to pregnant women who are married and not employed (NCCAH, 2005). In every 8 pregnant women, about 12% consume alcohol in a period of 30 days (Public Health Agency of Canada, 2008-09). Statistics indicate that this has been a continuous and stable behavior in the past 15 years. 17.7% of the women who are using alcohol are between the ages of 35 and 44 years. Among them are college graduates who are approximately 14.4%, unmarried 13.4%, and employed 13.7% (Public Health Agency of Canada, 2008-09).

Comparison of the problem between the aboriginal and Canadian populations

The problem of drinking in Canada among pregnant women has been a major issue of concern and has been attributed to several factors both social and economic. Research indicates that per-capita drinking among aboriginals is relatively higher than that of the general population with findings indicating approximately 14.8 liters per Aboriginal as compared to the general population of 9.5 liters per person (Public Health Agency of Canada, 2008-09). Tait (2003) argues that although the level of drinking of the Aboriginal population is higher, findings indicate that many Aboriginals have the ability to abstain from alcohol more than the rest of the Canadian population. However, due to economical and social issues like poverty and lifestyles, a majority of the Aboriginal pregnant women in Canada involve themselves in the drinking of alcohol which has a massive impact on their health and that of their children

NCCAH (2005) indicates that daily consumption of alcohol among aboriginal women in Canada can be less frequent than among the general population in terms of proportion due to a variety of factors such as age. However, among them, psychological distress is a major issue that contributes to their heavy drinking rates than the rest of the general population and is likely to result from levels of acculturation (Tait, 2003). High intensities of drinking occur among groups that have less attachment to their indigenous culture. It is however noted that while this fact is true for the major part of the indigenous people, most of the victims who go through psychological problems apparently turn to the abuse of alcohol. This is contrary to the case of the ordinary population which has not been affected by alcohol abuse or binge consumption of alcohol.

Tait (2003) argues that the high alcohol abuse rates have been linked to the low economic status of the indigenous people due to factors such as marginalization, political segregation, and dispossession of their properties due to low levels of literacy. Such continual frustrations lead to the accumulation of more psychological problems leading to over-indulgence (NCCAH, 2005). The general Canadian population is well organized, knows constitutional rights, and is wealthy compared to the indigenous population. However, those who undergo myriads of financial problems as a result of lower-level incomes have also been found to engage in rampant abuse of alcohol compared to the general population. Nonetheless, the lower-income earners are not affected much in comparison to the rest of the population bearing in mind that they can only drink a limited number of times every single day.

Why do Aboriginals need many health programs

Due to the economic and social difficulties faced by Canadians, especially the Aboriginals, alcohol consumption and other related drug use among pregnant women have increased. Impacting their children by causing birth defects and delays in the development of children exposed to prenatal alcohol. Reports from the national midwifery and nursing associations as well as those from the public health indicate that several programs are being implemented geared towards offering prevention efforts. In comparison, Aboriginals need more primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention programs than the other populations as they are the most affected.

Excessive alcohol consumption among Aboriginal pregnant women is directly linked to other factors such as demographic and economical factors. Tait (2003) reiterates that there is an urgent and dire need for government authorities to devise viable health and empowerment programs. This will assist in creating or improving awareness of the negative effects of abusing alcohol. Needless to say, it will also reduce maternal alcohol exposure which is common among the aboriginal population in Canada. As a matter of fact, maternal-fetal alcohol syndrome has been found to be most prevalent among this segment of the Canadian population.

This is why health organizations in Canada have boosted their programs and geared them towards assisting Aboriginal women and children through empowerment and health care services.

Conclusion

In summation, the discussion in this paper supports the thesis statement that alcohol and its many distinct actions induce immense harm to a developing fetus and embryo. Depending on exposure and developmental timing, it may contribute to diverse and variable outcomes that can be observed as prenatal alcohol effects. It is evident that alcohol consumption among pregnant women causes immense harm to a child. In Canada, the Aboriginal population is greatly affected and as such requires more health programs. More efforts should be put forth by the Canadian health organizations and the government to minimize the problem of drinking among women to sustain the health of children and save health care costs. While alcohol consumption by pregnant women has several adverse effects on the growing fetus or embryo, the syndrome that results from binge drinking may be quite difficult to deal with. Aboriginals among the Canadian population and how alcohol consumption has adversely affected the proper development of the fetus is just an example of how this may be a global health concern to contend within contemporary society.

References

FASlink. (2011).Fetal alcohol disorders society: research, information and communications. Web.

Heaman, M., Gupton, A.L., & Moffatt, M.E. (2005). Prevalence and predictors of inadequate prenatal care: A comparison of aboriginal and non-aboriginal women in Manitoba. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Canada 27(3): 237-46.

Kodituwakka, P.W. (2007). Defining the behavioral phenotype in children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders: A review. Web.

NCCAH. (2005). Knowledge gap FASD. Web.

Public Health Agency of Canada (2002). Aboriginal head start initiative: children making a community whole: a review of aboriginal head starts in urban and northern communities. Web.

Public Health Agency of Canada (2008-09). Summative evaluation: fetal alcohol spectrum disorder initiative. Web.

Tait, C. L. (2003).Fetal Alcohol Syndrome among Aboriginal People in Canada: Review and Analysis of the Intergenerational Links to Residential Schools. Web.

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