Problem Statement
The qualitative study by Singal et al. (2016) focuses on a rather important problem of maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy resulted in fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) in children. The title of the article clearly identifies the key variables, including the target audience of women living in Manitoba, Canada, the area of research, the type of analysis, and the sources to be used.
The problem expressed at the beginning states that there is a lack of information regarding the mentioned topic. Therefore, the purpose of the study is to address this challenge by collecting raw data and analyzing it in an appropriate manner. With this in mind, the hypothesis identified by the authors is that the study will allow specifying some features to prevent alcohol consumption during pregnancy and come up with intervention methods. The main terms of the study are defined accurately and clearly in each of the sections of the article.
Literature Review
Following the guidelines of qualitative research methods, Singal et al. (2016) provide a reader with the literature review on children with FASD and evidence gaps. In particular, they point out the research by Cannon, Dominique, O’leary, Sniezek, and Floyd (2012) as well as the one by Adam et al. (2016), claiming that they reveal recall bias and limited data, respectively. The literature review covers 56 credible sources such as peer-reviewed journals and official statistics resources, the majority of which can be regarded as current. The review focus is wide as it strives to provide a comprehensive study, yet all the sources directly relate to the specified topic. There is no evidence of bias. The importance of the study cannot be overestimated as it is supported by other researches. Thus, Liu, Mumford, and Petras (2015) also emphasize the adverse impact of alcohol on infants while Landgraf and Heinen (2014) discuss fetal alcohol spectrum disorder symptoms. The broad overview of the literature regarding the theme shows that it is relevant and requires some considerable efforts to be resolved.
Methods
To initiate the research, the authors employ qualitative research methodology and pose the two research questions where the first one is to be researched within the retrospective cohort study and the second one within the retrospective case-control design. This original study uses no conceptual framework due to the fact that it aims at discovering the factors and analyzing them in relation to the modern context. According to Hammer and Berland (2013), qualitative research should “describe the method in sufficient detail that readers who wish to can apply the method” (38). The mentioned methods correspond to the research purpose that can be recognized as the main strength of the article.
Speaking of sampling methods, one may note that the medical records of 700 mothers from Manitoba and their children diagnosed with FASD are collected. The sample framework involves children who were born from 31 March 1999 to 31 March 2012. Even though no inclusion or exclusion criteria are noted, a reader may suggest them from analysis of the sampling section. Among the factors under consideration, there are socioeconomic state, health risks, family history, and other similar points. The authors present the collected information in the form of tables that makes it easier to understand and discuss findings. The quality and validity of elements of the study are evident as they compose the scope of the research and create an integral work. Besides, several figures are also used to create visibility of research. The ethical considerations concerning recruitment and group assignment are mentioned and strictly followed in the course of the study. The findings of the study, as well as its conclusion, are logical and support the hypothesis specified at the beginning.
Implications, Limitations, and Personal Attitude
The article presents a range of implications, the most essential of which is the fact that it fulfils the gap in data by collecting and integrating clinical and administrative data from several databases. Such an approach allowed identifying key factors of FASD and the subsequent preventative measures. It was revealed that the results of the study provided some insights concerning the living conditions of mothers with children diagnosed with FASD. Furthermore, health systems and social care institutions seem to be attracted to the issue, thus ensuring the implementation of adequate measures to intervene and prevent the mentioned disease. Thus, the implications rationally provide grounds for the perspective exploration.
Among the limitations of the research, one may note that it cannot be generalized to wider populations as it precisely focuses on Manitoba realities. Another limitation is that only administrative data was collected the accuracy of which refers to the reliability of the organization that completed the evaluation. It is also critical to note that the authors admit the presence of respondents with unreported prenatal alcohol use and children with FASD.
In my point of view, the evaluated article presents quite interesting and useful information, and I would use it in my practice as it is the evidence-based study that considers actual data and a serious health problem.
References
Adam, A., Faouzi, M., Yersin, B., Bodenmann, P., Daeppen, J., & Bertholet, N. (2016). Women and men admitted for alcohol intoxication at an emergency department: alcohol use disorders, substance use and health and social status 7 years later. Alcohol and Alcoholism, 51(5), 567-575.
Cannon, M. J., Dominique, Y., O’leary, L. A., Sniezek, J. E., & Floyd, R. L. (2012). Characteristics and behaviors of mothers who have a child with fetal alcohol syndrome. Neurotoxicology and Teratology, 34(1), 90-95.
Hammer, D., & Berland, L. K. (2013). Confusing claims for data: A critique of common practices for presenting qualitative research on learning. Journal of the Learning Sciences, 23(1), 37-46.
Landgraf, M., & Heinen, F. (2014). Diagnosis of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. Neuropediatrics, 45(1), 1-8.
Liu, W., Mumford, E. A., & Petras, H. (2015). Maternal alcohol consumption during the perinatal and early parenting period: A longitudinal analysis. Maternal and Child Health Journal, 20(2), 376-385.
Singal, D., Brownell, M., Hanlon-Dearman, A., Chateau, D., Longstaffe, S., & Roos, L. L. (2016). Manitoba mothers and fetal alcohol spectrum disorders study (MBMomsFASD): Protocol for a population-based cohort study using linked administrative data. BMJ Open, 6(9), 1-20.