This is with more than half of respondents reporting they have personally seen pregnant women consuming alcohol in their communities. The findings are contained in the 2026 Sober Pregnancies Report, commissioned by aware.org.za  and conducted by Frontline Research, which surveyed respondents across all nine provinces.

The report highlights a troubling gap between public awareness of the risks and actual behaviour in communities.

The Northern Cape was flagged for intensified fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) prevention campaigns as authorities and partners prepare to expand community education and early intervention programmes.

“While most South Africans understand that drinking during pregnancy is harmful, alcohol consumption during pregnancy remains deeply normalised in many communities, and that is a major concern for us,” said Aware.org senior programmes manager Lebogang Mashigo.

“We found 56% of respondents have personally seen pregnant women consuming alcohol in their communities, yet many people do not intervene or challenge this behaviour.

“South Africa has the highest estimated prevalence of FASD globally, at approximately 11%, compared to a global average of around 1%, which highlights the urgent need for prevention, education and support programmes."

There is no safe amount of alcohol during pregnancy. Pregnant women experiencing stress are urged to seek support from healthcare professionals, family members and their communities rather than turning to alcohol, he said.

The report identifies several contributing factors, including poverty, mental health challenges, and entrenched social norms around alcohol. Financial stress emerged as the leading concern for expectant mothers, with 70% of respondents citing it as a major challenge, alongside difficulties accessing quality healthcare services.

Social dynamics also play a significant role. While many respondents believe partners provide support, more than half say a lack of partner involvement is a key issue during pregnancy.

Instead, most women rely on older female relatives or mothers for advice, which may limit access to medically accurate information.

The report found 63% of respondents said public drinking is common in their communities, and many believe light or occasional drinking is not harmful during pregnancy. Around 16% even believe small amounts of alcohol are safe at certain stages of pregnancy.

About 35% of respondents believe alcohol-related harm can be cured with traditional medicine if detected early. In contrast, others incorrectly believe that fake alcohol is less harmful or that FASD is purely genetic.

“These beliefs are dangerous, and they must be addressed through targeted education campaigns,” said Mashigo.

OFM News/Zenande Mpame dg

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