Development of Educational Materials for the Prevention of
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders in Russia

Prevention efforts in the United States have been successful in raising awareness and reducing alcohol consumption in the preconception and prenatal periods for selected groups of women. These efforts have not been implemented in Russia and consequently there is a need for similar measures. Despite the prevalence of alcohol use in Russia, there are no public health prevention programs designed to educate the general population about the effects of alcohol consumption during pregnancy. In addition, in the United States, it has been found that most OB/GYNs do ask their pregnant patients about alcohol use and if a patient acknowledges alcohol use, most doctors will discuss its adverse effects and advise abstinence. However, focus groups at a public women’s clinic in Russia revealed that none of the women reported that a physician asked about alcohol use during pregnancy or discussed its effects. Thus, there is clearly a need to educate both women of childbearing age and their health care providers about alcohol consumption during pregnancy and FAS and related conditions. This project provides a unique opportunity to begin to raise public awareness about this issue in Russia.

Funded Project:
University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center – Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

The goal of this project is to increase knowledge and awareness to prevent fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs) in Russia through the development of (1) training materials for Russian health professionals (pediatricians, obstetricians-gynecologists, substance abuse treatment providers), and (2) printed educational materials targeting women of childbearing age in Russia designed to increase their knowledge and change attitudes about alcohol use during pregnancy.
 

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