1. Knowledge, attitudes, and decision making towards prenatal testing among antenatal clinic attendees in Lagos University Teaching Hospital: an institution-based cross-sectional study.
- Author
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Ogamba CF, Babah OA, Roberts AA, Nwanaji-Enwerem JC, Nwanaji-Enwerem P, Ikwuegbuenyi CA, and Ologunja OJ
- Subjects
- Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Cross-Sectional Studies, Female, Hospitals, University, Humans, Middle Aged, Nigeria, Pregnancy, Surveys and Questionnaires, Young Adult, Decision Making, Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice, Prenatal Care methods, Prenatal Diagnosis psychology
- Abstract
Introduction: in Africa, genetic diseases and congenital anomalies remain a significant source of morbidity and mortality. Existing data suggests a gap in the use of prenatal tests among pregnant women to better inform decision making. We examined relationships of socio-demographic factors with willingness to terminate affected pregnancies, and the use of, knowledge of, and attitudes towards prenatal screening/diagnostic tests., Methods: this was a cross-sectional descriptive study of pregnant women who attended antenatal clinics at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (N = 422) selected by convenience sampling. Responses were obtained with assisted self-administered structured questionnaires., Results: mean ± S.D. age of the respondents was 32.5 ± 5.3 years. The majority of the participants (92.2%) had at least a secondary education. Ultrasound scans in the second trimester were the most frequently used test (39.1%). Only 77 (18.2%) of the respondents indicated willingness to terminate affected pregnancies. The majority of the respondents had fair knowledge and good attitude scores. Knowledge and attitude scores were significantly correlated (r = 0.25, p < 0.001). Compared to married women, being single was associated with a 2.62-point lower knowledge score (95% CI: -4.63, -0.62, p = 0.01). Compared to women who responded "no" when asked if they were willing to terminate an affected pregnancy, women who responded "maybe" had a 0.81-point lower attitude score (95% CI: -1.45, -0.17, p = 0.01)., Conclusion: our results suggest important socio-demographic differences in women´s knowledge/ behaviours towards prenatal diagnostic tests. Further research is needed to explore these relationships and broader pregnancy-related ethical beliefs among pregnant women in Lagos., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing interests., (Copyright: Chibuzor Franklin Ogamba et al.)
- Published
- 2021
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