Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder and the Aboriginal community

1
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder and the
Aboriginal community
(Civilization.ca., 2001)
By Crystal McClelland NRSG 4111-Nurses
Influencing Change November 11, 2006
2
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder(FASD)

• FASD is one of the worlds leading preventable
  disorders
• FASD accounts for 1-3 in 1000 births
• (Wilton, G., Plane, M.., 2006)
• FASD is an umbrella term that covers many
  disorders which occur as a result of prenatal
  alcohol consumption, some of which may include
• Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)
• Fetal Alcohol Effects (FAE)
• Alcohol Related Birth Defects (ARBD)
• Alcohol Related Neurodevelopment Disorder (ARND)
• (Caley, L., Kramer, C., Robinson, L., 2005)
  

(Williams, L., n.d.)
3
FASD

• Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is one of the most
  commonly known disorders within this category
• To achieve a diagnosis of FAS, the individual
  must have the following characteristics
• -confirmed exposure to alcohol prenatally
• -distinctive facial abnormalities
• -retarded growth and development
• -dysfunctions of the central nervous system
• (Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse, 2006)

(Mohave County WIC, 2004)
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Effects of FASD on Children

• Children with FASD may have a wide variety of
  lifelong issues, including physical, mental,
  emotional, and learning disabilities. Children
  and youth with alcohol exposed related disorders
  have also been found to be more aggressive in the

school setting, lack reasoning skills, and are
unable to act reasonably in social settings.
They are also at increased risk for drug and
alcohol abuse in their adulthoods. (Brown, P.,
2006)
(Williams, L., n.d.)
5
Prenatal Alcohol Consumption

• A womans past drinking habits are more likely to
  predict her future consumption of alcohol, even
  in her pregnancies
• Women often will not share with their healthcare
  providers the amount of alcohol they are
  consuming due to embarrassment, shame, and the
  stigmas attached to the issue
• In the Aboriginal community, this is often
  further compounded by discrimination and shame
  that is held against the community already
• (Chang, G., 2005)

(Drunk Driving Defense.com, 2005)
6
Aboriginal communities

• Recent surveys have shown that significantly more
  women from Aboriginal communities binge drink, as
  compared with other populations in Canada
• Binge drinking is not only a serious public
  health issue, but also one of the most important
  risk factors for FASD
• As well, Aboriginal women confessed to drinking
  more alcohol in their subsequent pregnancies than
  in their first, as opposed to other populations
• (Masotti, P., George, A., Szala-Meneok, K.,
  Morton, M., Loock, C., Van Bibber, M., Ranford,
  J., Fleming, M., MacLeod, S., 2006).
• Due to the high risk for FASD individuals to
  become alcohol abusers themselves in their
  adulthood, there is the possibility for a vicious
  cycle of alcohol abuse to develop within families
  and the community
• (Brown, P., 2006)

7
The Process of Change

• Change happens slowly within the Aboriginal
  community
• Aboriginal communities in particular have a need
  for relationships and trust building prior to
  commencing change
• First Nations communities are often very
  concerned about being a part of the change
  process themselves, and being aware of what is
  happening behind the scenes, as well as having a
  voice in all decisions made
• This knowledge of this particular community
  should influence the way a change agent from the
  outside would attempt to incorporate the change
  process in a culturally sensitive manner
• (Masotti, P., et al., 2006)

(Manitoba Civil Service Commission, 1993)
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Tips and Strategiesfor the Healthcare Worker

• Consider including traditions and cultural
  practices that are central to the communities
  particular beliefs
• Some of these may include a smudging ceremony for
  cleansing, prayers, and a talking circle
• All of this encourages cultural sensitivity and
  promotes healing
• Seek out the opinions of those already familiar
  with the communitys traditions and practices,
  such as elders
• Use visuals and storytelling, as these practices
  are a more familiar way of learning to this
  community
• Remember that change comes slowly, and not to get
  discouraged
• (Masotti, P., et al, 2006)

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Supports and Resources

• Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Center
• 604-251-4844 or info_at_vafcs.org
• Alcohol and Drug Information and
  Referral 1-800-663-1441
• Kla-how-eya Aboriginal Center
• 604-584-2008 or www.sacsbc.org
• VictimLink - 1-800-563-0808
• BC NurseLine 1-866-215-4700

(NIICHRO, 2004)
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References

• 1. Civilization.ca. (2001). In memoriam Bill
  Reid(1920-1998). Retrieved November 5, 2006 from
  http//www.civilization.ca/aborig/reid/reid11e.htm
  l
• 2. Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse. (2006).
  Introduction to FASD. Retrieved October 17, 2006
  from http//www.ccsa.ca/CCSA/EN/Topics/Populations
  /FASDIntroduction.htm
• 3. Wilton, G., Plane, M. (2006). The family
  empowerment network a service model to address
  the needs of children and families affected by
  fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. Pediatric
  Nursing, 32(4), p.299-306. Retrieved September
  23, 2006 from ASP.
• 4. Caley, L., Kramer, C., Robinson, L. (2005).
  Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. The Journal of
  School Nursing, 21(3), p.139-146. Retrieved
  September 23, 2006 from CINAHL.
• 5. Lylee Williams. (n.d.) What is Fetal Alcohol
  Syndrome? Retrieved November 4, 2006 from
  http//www.niichro.com/fas/fas_2.html

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References Continued

• 6. Brown, P. (2006). Drinking for two? New
  Scientist, 191(2558), p.46-49. Retrieved
  September 23, 2006 from ASP.
• 7. Masotti, P., George, A., Szala-Meneok, K.,
  Morton, M., Loock, C., Van Bibber, M., Ranford,
  J., Fleming, M., MacLeod, S. (2006). Preventing
  fetal alcohol spectrum disorder in aboriginal
  communities a methods development project. PLoS
  Medicine, 3(1), p.24-29. Retrieved September 25,
  2006 from ASP.
• 8. Chang, G. (2005). Screening and brief
  intervention in prenatal care settings. Alcohol
  Research and Health, 28(2), p.80-84. Retrieved
  September 23, 2006 from CINAHL.
• 9. Drunk Driving Defense.com. (2005). 10 FAQs
  about alcohol, health, and the law. Retrieved
  November 6, 2006 from http//www.drunkdrivingdefen
  se.com/general/dui-alcohol.htm
• 10. NIICHRO. (2004). Aboriginal woman featured at
  National AIDS conference. Retrieved November 8,
  2006 fromhttp//www.niichro.com/hiv/hiv_9.html

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References Continued

• 11. Mohave County WIC. (2004). Alcohol and your
  baby. Retrieved November 11, 2006 from
  http//www.co.mohave.az.us/WIC/AlcoholAndYourBaby.
  htm
• 12. Manitoba Civil Service Commission. (1993).
  Aboriginal symbols, practices and customs.
  Retrieved November 11, 2006 from
• http//www.nald.ca/CLR/chikiken/page27.htm.