The alcohol consumed during pregnancy has serious consequences. It affects the growth and development of the baby’s bones, internal organs and brain and can cause mental retardation that is irreversible. In this connection, a broad awareness-raising campaign was launched in Moldova to sensitize to the risks of alcohol use during pregnancy entitled “Too Young To Drink”, IPN reports.
According to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Social Protection, when these children grow older, they can develop mental health problems, meet with difficulties in learning, have an inappropriate behavior, can break the law and can abuse alcohol or drugs.
The World Health Organization’s data for 2013 show the Republic of Moldova has one of the highest alcohol consumption rate worldwide (second ranked), with a quantity of 16.8 liters of pure alcohol per capita a year. Alcohol consumption affects 74.8% of the country’s population aged between 16 and 55, being the third mortality risk factor.
During the last few years, women reconstituted 15-17% of the number of alcoholics, with the figure being much higher in rural areas. It is estimated that the highest alcohol consumption rate is among women of a reproductive age. Some 31% of those surveyed do not realize the harm done to the fetus.
An international communication and awareness-raising campaign entitled “Too Young To Drink” has been conducted since 2014 under the aegis of the European FASD Alliance (European Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Alliance). The Republic of Moldova joined the network “Too Young To Drink” in 2015, on the initiative of the Public Association “Progress through Alternative”.
