At a Juncture: Exploring Patterns and Trends in FASD Prevention Research from 2015 – 2021 Using the Four-Part Model of Prevention

Abstract

Background and Objective: FASD prevention efforts have been expanded in the last 25 years to go beyond the moral panic that guided early public awareness campaigns and policy responses. In Canada, a Four-Part Model of FASD Prevention has been developed and used that describes a continuum of multi-sectoral efforts for women, girls, children, and their support networks, including broad awareness campaigns, safe and respectful conversations around pregnancy and alcohol use, and holistic and wraparound support services for pregnant and postpartum women with alcohol and other health and social concerns. The purpose of this article is to describe the state of the evidence on FASD prevention from 2015 – 2021, including the prevalence and influences on alcohol use during pregnancy, interventions at each of the four levels of the Four-Part Model, as well as systemic, destigmatizing, and ethical considerations.  Materials and Methods: Using EBSCO Host, seven academic databases were annually searched for articles related to FASD prevention from 2015 – 2021. English language articles were screened for relevance to alcohol use in pregnancy and FASD prevention. Using outlined procedures for thematic analysis, the findings were categorized within the following key themes: prevalence and influences on women’s drinking; Level 1 prevention; Level 2 prevention; Level 3 prevention; Level 4 prevention; and systemic, destigmatizing, and ethical considerations. Results: From January 2015 – December 2020 n = 532 articles were identified that addressed the prevalence and influences on alcohol use during pregnancy, interventions at each of the four levels, and systemic, destigmatizing, and ethical considerations. The most recent research on FASD prevention published in English was generated in the United States (US; n = 216, 40.6%), Canada (n = 91, 17.1%), the United Kingdom (UK; n = 60, 11.3%), and Australia (n = 58, 10.9%). However, there was an increase in studies published from other countries over the last six years. The literature heavily focused on prevalence and influences on alcohol use during pregnancy (n = 182, 34.2%), with an increase of prevalence research from countries outside of Canada, the US, Australia, and the UK, and on Level 2 prevention efforts (n = 174, 32.7%), specifically around the efficacy and implementation of brief interventions. Across Level 1 and Level 2 prevention efforts, there was an increase in literature published on the role of technology in supporting health promotion, education, screening, and brief interventions. Attention to Levels 3 and 4 demonstrated nuanced multi-service, trauma-informed, relational, and holistic approaches to supporting women and their children. However, efforts are needed to address stigma, which acted as a systemic barrier to care across each level of prevention. Conclusion: Research and practice on FASD prevention has continued to expand. Through our generated deductive themes, this review synthesized the findings and demonstrated how the work on FASD prevention has been amplified in recent years and how efforts to support women and children’s health are complex and interconnected. The findings highlight opportunities for prevention through research and evidence-informed policy and practice.