Health
professionals' knowledge, practice and opinions about fetal alcohol
syndrome and alcohol consumption in pregnancy.
(Issues)(Author
Abstract). Jan Payne, Elizabeth Elliott, Heather D'Antoine, Colleen
O'Leary, Anne Mahony, Eric Haan and Carolyn Bower. Australian and
New Zealand Journal of Public Health 29.6 (Dec 2005): p558(7).
[]Abstract:
Objective:
To measure the knowledge, attitudes and practices of health professionals
regarding fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) and alcohol use during pregnancy.
Method: A postal
survey of a representative random sample of health professionals
was conducted in Western Australia (WA) in 2002/03. 1,143 (79%)
of 1,443 eligible health professionals completed the survey (87
Aboriginal Health Workers, 286 allied health professionals, 537
community nurses, 170 general practitioners and 63 obstetricians).
Results: Of
1,143 health professionals, 12% identified all four essential diagnostic
features of FAS. Most (95%) had never diagnosed FAS. Although 82%
believed that making a diagnosis of FAS might improve treatment
plans and 85% agreed FAS was preventable, 53% said the diagnosis
might be stigmatising. Only 2% felt very prepared to deal with FAS
and most wanted information for themselves and their clients. Of
the 659 health professionals caring for pregnant women, only 45%
routinely ask about alcohol use in pregnancy, only 25% routinely
provide information on the consequences of alcohol use in pregnancy
and only 13% provide advice consistent with NHMRC guidelines on
alcohol consumption in pregnancy.
Conclusion:
Health professionals have identified the need for educational materials
for themselves and their clients.
Implications:
FAS is likely to be under-ascertained in Australia due to a lack
of knowledge of FAS by health professionals. Until this lack of
knowledge is addressed, opportunities for diagnosis and prevention
of FAS will be limited.
Source Citation: Payne, Jan, Elizabeth Elliott, Heather D'Antoine,
Colleen O'Leary, Anne Mahony, Eric Haan, and Carolyn Bower. "Health
professionals' knowledge, practice and opinions about fetal alcohol
syndrome and alcohol consumption in pregnancy.(Issues)(Author Abstract)."
Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health 29.6 (Dec 2005):
558(7).
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