Fetal alcohol syndrome is by some estimates the leading cause of developmental disability in the Western world, and one which is entirely preventable. Efforts at prevention heretofore have been largely clinic-based, which fails to access many high-risk women in time to intervene effectively. This study will investigate the potential effectiveness of intervention in another venue perhaps more frequently visited by drinking gravidas than the prenatal clinic: the public drinking establishment. Much damage can be prevented by intervention in the second trimester, when pregnancy is ordinarily visible to others such as alcohol service personnel. This study has two principle goals. First, we will examine the effectiveness of alcohol server training legislation to prevent FAS, comparing two approaches and a control: state-mandated training in two states with varying degrees of formal emphasis on FAS, and one state with no formal server training system. Second, we will develop, provide, and evaluate the effectiveness of a supplementary server training program in FAS prevention under all three state systems. Dependent variables measuring implementation and effectiveness will include: FAS knowledge, attitudes, and establishment policies assessed by large sample mail surveys; knowledge, attitudes, and self-reported practices of servers assessed by interviews in subsamples of establishments; observed server adherence to responsible practices using pseudopatrons in subsamples of establishments; and records of self-referrals to community health resources by gravidas resulting from server interventions.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01AA012501-02
Application #
6168527
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZAA1-BB (03))
Project Start
1999-09-24
Project End
2004-06-30
Budget Start
2000-07-01
Budget End
2001-06-30
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2000
Total Cost
$580,483
Indirect Cost
Name
Oregon Research Institute
Department
Type
DUNS #
053615423
City
Eugene
State
OR
Country
United States
Zip Code
97403
Dresser, Jack; Starling, Randall; Woodall, W Gill et al. (2011) Field trial of alcohol-server training for prevention of fetal alcohol syndrome. J Stud Alcohol Drugs 72:490-6