Misinformation surrounding foetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) remains a significant challenge, with new research revealing deep-seated misconceptions across South Africa.

Almost half of South Africans believe children can outgrow FASD, a range of lifelong physical, cognitive and developmental conditions caused by alcohol exposure before birth.

The 2026 Sober Pregnancies Research, commissioned by AWARE.org, surveyed people across all nine provinces to explore understanding, information sources and beliefs shaping attitudes towards alcohol use during pregnancy.

While 78% of people know that alcohol can harm an unborn baby, only 17% can identify FASD or its symptoms. This gap between knowing that alcohol is harmful and understanding the consequences is where misinformation takes hold.

Cultural beliefs and parental influence

More than 20% of South Africans believe FASD is genetic, while a similar proportion attribute alcohol-related birth defects to the father’s sperm. Others believe traditional beer is safer during pregnancy than other forms of alcohol, or that traditional medicine can reverse alcohol-related harm.

The research found that these beliefs are even more pronounced in some communities. In KZN, for example, almost 30% of respondents believe FASD is genetic, and a similar proportion believe alcohol-related birth defects are caused by the father’s sperm.

In the Northern Cape, 43% of respondents believe traditional beer is safer than spirits.

The research does not rank provinces overall, but the differences highlight how strongly local beliefs and community knowledge can shape perceptions of pregnancy and alcohol.

Where do these beliefs come from?

It is not simply a case of people ignoring medical advice. People get information from a wide range of sources, including social media, television and radio. Many rely on family members, particularly mothers and older female relatives, for advice during pregnancy. This can be valuable, but it also means that long-standing beliefs can be passed from one generation to the next.

The research found that women are more likely than men to seek advice from mothers or older female relatives, while almost two-thirds of respondents believe communities need more information about the risks of alcohol during pregnancy.

There is also a divide between urban and rural communities. People living in urban areas were more likely to believe that all alcohol should be avoided during pregnancy, while traditional medicine was more commonly viewed as a way to treat alcohol-related harm in rural communities.

Medical consensus is clear

While public understanding may be complicated, medical advice is clear: There is no known safe type, amount or stage of pregnancy for alcohol consumption. Alcohol crosses the placenta and can affect a developing baby with lifelong effects. Unlike many conditions, FASD is entirely preventable when alcohol is avoided during pregnancy.

South Africa is estimated to have one of the highest rates of FASD in the world, with some studies suggesting prevalence rates of up to 11%.

AWARE.org CEO Mokebe Thulo says simple warnings are insufficient. “In many cases, expectant mothers are not only dealing with a lack of access to consistent healthcare information, but also with deeply rooted beliefs circulating within their communities. When accurate guidance is not easily available, misinformation fills the gap, and the consequences can be lifelong.”

Community support key to awareness

AWARE.org has previously shared the story of a woman who did not understand how alcohol could affect an unborn baby until her first child was born with severe foetal alcohol syndrome and several health complications.

With support from the organisation’s Healthy Mother Healthy Baby programme, she remained alcohol-free during her second pregnancy and gave birth to a healthy child. She has since stopped drinking and now helps raise awareness about FASD prevention.

Her story highlights an important part of the conversation that can sometimes be overlooked: Women need accurate information and support, not judgement.

For someone who does not understand the risks, simply being told to stop drinking may not be enough. Education needs to address the myths people have grown up hearing, while healthcare and community services need to provide safe, non-judgemental spaces where women can ask questions and get help.

As South Africa marks Women’s Month, the research is a reminder that supporting women means more than celebrating them. It also means tackling the misinformation, stigma and gaps in healthcare information that can affect women and their families.

Because when it comes to alcohol and pregnancy, what someone believes today can have consequences that last a lifetime.

Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel.

Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal.