266020 Fetal alcohol effects across the lifespan: Research implications for public health in Russia

Monday, October 29, 2012 : 3:30 PM - 3:45 PM

Tatiana Balachova, PhD , Department of Pediatrics, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK
Barbara Bonner, PhD , Department of Pediatrics, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK
Larissa Tsvetkova, PhD , Saint-Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia
Elena Varavikova, MD, PhD, MPH , Central Research Institute of Information and Organization of Health, Moscow, Russia
Purpose: Prenatal alcohol exposure can result in a range of adverse pregnancy outcomes including stillbirth and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD). Russia is a country with high alcohol consumption among women. This presentation describes a line of international studies aimed at developing FASD prevention in Russia and discusses implications for public health. Data Used: The first pilot study (2003-2005) evaluated FASD knowledge, attitudes, and risk behaviors. The second (2006-2007) designed a prevention intervention and developed education for women and physicians. The third (2007-2012) determined efficacy of the intervention in reducing women's risk for alcohol-exposed pregnancies (AEP). A total of 1,790 women and 341 physicians have participated in the studies. Methods: This assessment driven translational research included mixed qualitative and quantitative methods and involved 1) formative assessment, 2) evaluation of FASD education in randomized educational trials, and 3) designing and evaluating a prevention intervention in a randomized controlled trial. Results: Russian women reduce alcohol use after pregnancy identification; however, few recognize risks involved in combining alcohol use with the potential to become pregnant. Among nonpregnant women, 43% were at high risk for AEP. Education materials for women and physicians were developed and a primary FASD prevention intervention was designed and is being evaluated at OBGYN/women's clinics in Russia. Formative analysis was conducted to identify implications and demands for health policy in Russia. Recommendations: Education, intervention, and policy changes are needed for preventing fetal alcohol exposure in Russian children and reducing the burden of FASD in Russia and around the world.

Learning Areas:
Assessment of individual and community needs for health education
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs
Other professions or practice related to public health
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Public health or related research
Social and behavioral sciences

Learning Objectives:
1. Define Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) as a global public health issue that requires multi-level prevention and intervention efforts. 2. Evaluate the FASD risk in Russian children. 3. Identify strategies for preventing alcohol-exposed pregnancies in Russia. 4. Discuss research implications for public health, barriers to prevention, and policy recommendations.

Keywords: Birth Defects, Prevention

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am Associate Professor and a clinical psychologist with more than 20 years of experiences. I have served as Principle Investigator (PI) on three federally funded researches grants and Co-PI/Co-Director on seven research and training projects. I lead the Prevent Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) in Russia Research Group, which is dedicated to FASD prevention research, education, and advocacy to improve lives of affected children and families.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.