The effectiveness of a community-based intervention program for women at-risk for giving birth to a child with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)

Community Ment Health J. 2012 Feb;48(1):12-21. doi: 10.1007/s10597-010-9342-0. Epub 2010 Aug 8.

Abstract

The goal of this study was to determine whether the First Steps program (modeled after the Parent-Child Assistance Program) resulted in improved outcomes among women at-risk for giving birth to a child with FASD. We conducted a retrospective analysis of data on 70 participants in the First Steps program. Clients were high risk and faced many life challenges, including: being on welfare, substance abuse, physical and sexual abuse as children, mental health issues, criminal activity, and unplanned pregnancies. We found a significant increase in birth control use and decrease in welfare rates from pre- to post-program. At program exit, many participants were abstinent from alcohol and/or drugs and the majority did not experience a subsequent pregnancy. Clients also showed significant increases in goals and decreases in needs from pre-to post-program. The First Steps program demonstrated promising outcomes for women at-risk for giving birth to a child with FASD.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Alberta
  • Alcohol Drinking / adverse effects*
  • Alcohol Drinking / prevention & control
  • Community Mental Health Services
  • Community-Based Participatory Research
  • Contraception
  • Female
  • Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders / prevention & control*
  • Humans
  • Mentors*
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications / prevention & control*
  • Program Evaluation
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Risk Factors
  • Social Support*
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Substance-Related Disorders / prevention & control*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Young Adult