The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #59580

Mark B. Mengel, MD, MPH and Margaret S Ulione, PhD. Department of Community and Family Medicine, Saint Louis University, 1402 South Grand Blvd., Saint Louis, MO 63104

PURPOSE - To examine Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) knowledge gaps in African American women of childbearing age in an urban setting. Additional objectives were to determine if there were age, income, or educational differences in level of knowledge and to examine the relationship between knowledge about FAS and risky health behaviors. This is part of a larger study to desgin, implement and evaluate a targeted media campaign to increase knowledge regarding the effect of prenatal alcohol use on infants. METHODS - A random digit dial telephone survey on FAS knowledge, attitudes and beliefs was conducted in the St. Louis and Kansas City metropolitan areas. A sample of 799 urban African American females between the ages of 18 and 35 completed the survey. The survey consisted of 29-items; 10 of these items were on prenatal alcohol use and it's effects on infants. RESULTS - African American women scored poorly on the knowledge scale; the mean score was 58%. Drinkers, smokers, women with lower incomes and women who have not had early prenatal care had significantly lower knowledge scores than those who did not. In regression analyses drinking and smoking predicted lower knowledge scores. CONCLUSIONS - A knowledge gap on prenatal alcohol use and fetal alcohol syndrome exits in this sample of women. Women with healthier behaviors had higher levels of FAS knowledge. These results have implications for FAS prevention initiatives as well as screening for alcohol use in childbearing women.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of the session the participant in this session will be able to
• Identify gaps in fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) knowledge among urban African-American childbearing women,
• Describe factors that are correlated with knowledge of FAS in this sample,
• Apply this information to alcohol use screening and FAS prevention efforts in research and practice.

Keywords: Alcohol Use, Prevention

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.