Screening of fetal alcohol syndrome using the T-ACE questionnaire in semi-rural areas around Lubumbashi: lessons learned

Abstract

African women consumption of alcohol is influenced by a number of beliefs and sociocultural considerations. In Lubumbashi in the D.R.Congo for example, the belief that alcohol reduces sympathetic signs of pregnancy during the first trimester is very common; this belief however exposes unborn children to ethanol toxicity at a very early stage of the pregnancy. Hence, there is an urgent need to educate the future mothers (and the population) on the risks associated with alcohol consumption (even in small amount) during pregnancy.

Keywords

• screening
• fetal alcohol syndrome
• t-ace questionnaire
• lubumbashi