Changes in acceptability, consideration, intention, and uptake of direct‐to‐consumer genetic tests in the Netherlands from 2017 to 2022

Abstract

Although the popularity of direct‐to‐consumer genetic tests (DTC‐GT) for disease‐related purposes increased, concerns persist whether consumers make well‐informed decisions about their purchase. To better target pre‐ and post‐test information materials, this study aims to determine the characteristics of people interested in undergoing DTC‐GT. In addition, it aims to determine changes in acceptability, consideration, intention, and uptake of DTC‐GT since 2017. An online cross‐sectional survey was conducted in April 2022 with a representative sample of the Dutch adult population. Ordinal regression models and chi‐squared tests were used to determine factors associated with DTC‐GT acceptability, consideration and intention, and changes in outcomes since 2017, respectively. Of the 907 included respondents, 19.3% found DTC‐GT acceptable, 29.4% considered taking a DTC‐GT in the future, 6.2% intended to take a test within the coming year, and 0.9% had already tested. High education was associated with lower acceptability, consideration, intention, and higher awareness. Respondents with a chronic disease were less likely to find DTC‐GT acceptable. Higher consideration was associated with having a partner, adopted/stepchildren, and lower age. Compared to 2017, in 2022 more respondents found DTC‐GT totally unacceptable, while more considered testing, and fewer ruled out taking a test both in the next year and the future. Education status may play an important role in people's acceptability, consideration, intention, and awareness of disease‐related DTC‐GT in the Netherlands. Easy‐to‐understand public information materials should be promoted and guidance is needed to help with decision‐making and result interpretation. Future research should focus on the best way to provide responsible guidance.