The teratogenic effects of prenatal alcohol exposure can significantly influence the development of a child, which may result in a range of structural, cognitive and behavioural abnormalities. The severity of these effects can vary and fall under the fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). South Africa hosts the highest prevalence rate (12%) of this disorder in the world. All conditions included in the FASD spectrum are completely preventable through maternal abstinence of alcohol during pregnancy. At present, very limited information is available regarding how much pregnant women in South Africa know about adverse effects caused by prenatal alcohol exposure. This study aimed to determine pregnant women’s awareness of alcohol’s potential teratogenic effects on pregnancy and their knowledge of the features and characteristics associated with fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), the most severe of the FASD conditions. Additionally, the study compared the awareness and knowledge of pregnant women attending private antenatal centres, to those attending an antenatal clinic at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital, a state hospital in the Johannesburg area. Participants (n=211) completed a self-administered questionnaire at their private antenatal class or state clinic. A total of 211 questionnaires were analysed; 107 questionnaires from the state antenatal clinic and 104 from the private antenatal centres. The awareness levels regarding alcohol use in pregnancy were found to be very similar amongst the private (52%) and state (55%) participants. However, results indicated that significantly more private participants (19%), compared to state participants (3%) could be classified as having knowledge of the condition FAS. Overall, this study found that pregnant women from various backgrounds have limited knowledge of the harms caused by alcohol use during pregnancy. Misconceptions about the acceptable levels of maternal alcohol consumption and the effects thereof were also evident. The results of this research highlights that prevention strategies and awareness campaigns regarding alcohol use during pregnancy should incorporate information on the severity and permanent nature of FAS, as well as highlighting the fact that all types of alcoholic beverages can result in this condition. Also, these campaigns should focus on informing women that no level of alcohol is acceptable during pregnancy, as any amount may have potentially teratogenic effects on the developing fetus.

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Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2005. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

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The relationship between alcohol consumption and alcohol-related violence has been firmly established in a wide array of studies concerning various forms of violence including intimate partner violence, domestic violence as well as sexual assault. One factor which has been highlighted as having a moderating effect on the relationship between alcohol consumption and alcohol-related aggression is the specific aggression-related alcohol expectancies concerning the effects of alcohol consumption on aggressive behaviour. In light of the prevalence of alcohol-related violence in South African communities it becomes important to examine the specific factors that moderate the relationship between alcohol consumption and alcohol-related aggression and violence. The aim of this study was to examine aggressionrelated alcohol expectancies as a moderating factor in the relationship between alcohol consumption and alcohol-related aggression and to examine the possible influence of exposure to community alcohol-related aggression in the formulation of aggression-related alcohol expectancies. The main objectives of this were to examine aggression-related alcohol expectancies as well as exposure to community alcohol-related aggression as domains for intervention to prevent alcohol-related violence. The focus is on establishing alternative areas for intervention aimed at the reduction of alcohol-related violence, specifically domestic violence and sexual assault, in South African communities. The sample was gathered through non-probability sampling methods and consisted of 262 undergraduate students from psychology courses. The study is a quantitative study employing a cross-sectional survey design. A significant relationship was found between alcohol consumption and alcoholrelated aggression with aggression-related alcohol expectancies moderating this relationship,leading to higher alcohol-related aggression. Exposure to community alcohol-related aggression did not predict aggression-related alcohol expectancies. / Magister Psychologiae - MPsych

Bibliography: leaves 246-263. / xiii, 263 leaves : col. ill. ; 30 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / Previous investigations have established that there is a syndrome that occurs with abstinence from alcohol, and that it is characterised by certain signs and symptoms. This thesis aims to redress the paucity of information on symptom intensity and duration, predictors of withdrawal severity, and relationship of withdrawal severity to relapse. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology, 2000

Thesis (M.S.)--Auburn University, 2007. / Abstract. Vita. Includes bibliographic references (ℓ. 67-72)

Thesis (Ph.D.) -- McMaster University, 1999. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 357-374). Also available via World Wide Web.

Thesis (M.S.), Wellness Management--University of Central Oklahoma, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 56-58).

Thesis (M.S.), Wellness Management--University of Central Oklahoma, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 56-58).