Women’s receptivity to Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders prevention approaches: A case study of two regions in Russia

  • Tatiana Balachova University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center
  • Barbara Bonner University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center
  • David Bard University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center
  • Mark Chaffin University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center
  • Galina Isurina St. Petersburg State University
  • Arthur Owora University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center
  • Larissa Tsvetkova St. Petersburg State University
  • Elena Volkova Nizhny Novgorod State Pedagogical University
DOI: https://doi.org/10.7895/ijadr.v3i1.158
Keywords: Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, Russia, alcohol consumption, health message perceptions, prevention

Abstract

Balachova, T., Bonner, B., Bard, D., Chaffin, M., Isurina, G., Owora, A., Tsvetkova, L., & Volkova, E. (2014). Women’s receptivity to Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders prevention approaches: A case study of two regions in Russia. The International Journal Of Alcohol And Drug Research, 3(1), 5-15. doi:10.7895/ijadr.v3i1.158

Aims: This study obtained data to inform the development of programs for prevention of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) by examining Russian women’s perceptions about the determinants of their decisions regarding alcohol consumption during pregnancy; the importance of educating professionals and community about FASD; and the credibility of various sources of information.

Design: Cross-sectional survey.

Setting: Seven women’s clinics in St. Petersburg and the Nizhny Novgorod region in Russia.

Participants: Six hundred and forty-eight pregnant and non-pregnant women of childbearing age.

Measures: A face-to-face structured interview assessed demographic characteristics, pregnancy status, alcohol consumption, and level of trust in and receptivity to FASD prevention messages.

Findings: The most influential contributor to women’s decisions regarding alcohol consumption during pregnancy was their own knowledge, followed by information from an obstetrician/gynecologist or nurse. It was most important to women that obstetrics and gynecology professionals and husbands or partners were knowledgeable about the effects of drinking during pregnancy. Physicians’ recommendations and research data were regarded by the women as the most credible sources of information. There were significant variations in responses by socio-demographic characteristics and alcohol consumption levels. Younger women were more likely to report the contributions of husbands, mothers, and friends or coworkers to their decisions about alcohol consumption and indicated the importance of educating these people. Women at risk for alcohol use during pregnancy reported greater influence of husbands or partners and warning labels on containers on their alcohol consumption.

Conclusions: This study emphasizes the importance of broadly disseminating information about FASD, particularly research data, through education of health professionals and the general public in Russia. Women’s socio-demographic characteristics and alcohol consumption levels should be considered in designing prevention programs.

Author Biographies

Tatiana Balachova, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center
University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States
Barbara Bonner, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center
University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States
David Bard, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center
University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States
Mark Chaffin, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center
University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States
Galina Isurina, St. Petersburg State University
St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia
Arthur Owora, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center
University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States
Larissa Tsvetkova, St. Petersburg State University
St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia
Elena Volkova, Nizhny Novgorod State Pedagogical University
Nizhny Novgorod State Pedagogical University, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia
Published
2014-03-19
How to Cite
Balachova, T., Bonner, B., Bard, D., Chaffin, M., Isurina, G., Owora, A., Tsvetkova, L., & Volkova, E. (2014). Women’s receptivity to Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders prevention approaches: A case study of two regions in Russia. International Journal of Alcohol and Drug Research, 3(1), 5-15. https://doi.org/10.7895/ijadr.v3i1.158
Issue
Vol. 3 No. 1 (2014)
Section
Papers

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