São Tomé 'drinking problem' finding criticised

A researcher from São Tomé and Príncipe has defended her work which found endemic levels of alcohol consumption among children and pregnant women in the country.

The government has reportedly filed a criminal complaint against Dr Isabel de Santiago, calling her work "a shameful lie" which does "irreparable damage" to the country's image.

Dr De Santiago, who is based at the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Lisbon, told the BBC's Focus on Africa programme that she stood by her work.

The report - which has not been published yet - says some children are drinking alcohol because they don't have access to milk or portable water.

It criticises the government for imposing taxes on milk imports, while promoting the purchase of alcoholic drinks like wine from overseas.

Dr De Santiago said excessive drinking was a problem that was "growing", adding that there was an urgent need for the government to "intervene in the situation" to stop the harm it was causing.

She added that the government should promote healthy lifestyles and help curb binge-drinking, especially of traditional brews.