Abstract

Evidence based strategies are needed to enhance the ability of the Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) sector to prevent prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) and harms including Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). In Australia FASD prevention research has largely focused on primary care and child development sectors, while little research has been conducted with AOD services providing comprehensive support to high risk women. This study interviewed 26 staff from 18 organizations involved in referral and co-ordination, case management, or treatment and support services for women with (or at high risk of) PAE in the Greater Newcastle region in Australia. Interviews with service workers indicated a significant appreciation of the psychosocial complexities related to substance misuse in pregnancy, a highly skilled approach to harm reduction, and a sector going to extraordinary lengths to overcome the disadvantages faced by women including gaps in service provision. These results are discussed in light of recommendations to support AOD services to reduce the harms of PAE.

摘要

需要基于证据的策略来提高酒精和其他药物 (AOD) 部门的能力，以防止产前酒精暴露 (PAE) 和包括胎儿酒精谱系障碍 (FASD) 在内的危害。在澳大利亚，FASD 预防研究主要集中在初级保健和儿童发展部门，而很少对 AOD 服务进行研究，为高危妇女提供全面支持。本研究采访了来自 18 个组织的 26 名员工，这些组织涉及澳大利亚大纽卡斯尔地区为患有（或高风险）PAE 的女性提供转诊和协调、病例管理或治疗和支持服务。对服务人员的采访表明，他们非常了解与怀孕期间滥用药物相关的心理社会复杂性，这是一种减少伤害的高技能方法，这个部门不遗余力地克服妇女面临的不利条件，包括服务提供方面的差距。这些结果将根据支持 AOD 服务以减少 PAE 危害的建议进行讨论。