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The Prevalence of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Its Impact on a Child’s Classroom Performance: A Case Study of a Rural South African School

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  • Melissa Lubbe

    (School of Economics, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7700, South Africa)

  • Corné Van Walbeek

    (School of Economics, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7700, South Africa
    Southern Africa Labour and Development Research Unit, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7700, South Africa)

  • Nicole Vellios

    (Southern Africa Labour and Development Research Unit, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7700, South Africa)

Abstract

Alcohol consumption is high among farm labourers in the Western and Northern Cape of South Africa. Excessive alcohol consumption during pregnancy is common, resulting in a high prevalence of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) among children. FAS causes intellectual and behavioural problems, which create considerable obstacles to a child’s education. The aim of this study is to provide a prevalence estimate of FAS in a rural school and to examine the effects of FAS on learners’ educational outcomes. The study was conducted at a farm school near Clanwilliam in theWestern Cape of South Africa. The sample comprises 166 learners from Grades 1 to 4. Educational outcomes include class scores (Afrikaans home language and mathematics), reading ability, and classroom behaviour. A physician diagnosed FAS using a three-stage process. We find FAS prevalence of 127 per 1000 (12.7%). Children with FAS score significantly lower (at the 10% level) for home language and behaviour than children who do not have FAS. Large-scale interventions in rural areas of the Western and Northern Cape that specifically target females of child-bearing age, as well as children with FAS, are necessary

Suggested Citation

  • Melissa Lubbe & Corné Van Walbeek & Nicole Vellios, 2017. "The Prevalence of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Its Impact on a Child’s Classroom Performance: A Case Study of a Rural South African School," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-10, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:14:y:2017:i:8:p:896-:d:107611
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    1. Philip A. May & Marlene M. De Vries & Anna-Susan Marais & Wendy O. Kalberg & David Buckley & Colleen M. Adnams & Julie M. Hasken & Barbara Tabachnick & Luther K. Robinson & Melanie A. Manning & Heidre, 2017. "Replication of High Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Prevalence Rates, Child Characteristics, and Maternal Risk Factors in a Second Sample of Rural Communities in South Africa," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-22, May.
    2. McKinstry, J., 2005. "Using the past to step forward: Fetal alcohol syndrome in the Western Cape Province of South Africa," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 95(7), pages 1097-1099.
    3. May, P.A. & Brooke, L. & Gossage, J.P. & Croxford, J. & Adnams, C. & Jones, K.L. & Robinson, L. & Viljoen, D., 2000. "Epidemiology of fetal alcohol syndrome in a South African community in the Western Cape Province," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 90(12), pages 1905-1912.
    4. London, Leslie, 1999. "The `dop' system, alcohol abuse and social control amongst farm workers in South Africa: a public health challenge," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 48(10), pages 1407-1414, May.
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