Knowledge, attitudes and decision making towards prenatal testing among antenatal clinic attendees in Lagos University Teaching Hospital: an institution-based cross-sectional study

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.

Understanding the Awareness of Prenatal Genetic Screening Tests Among Pregnant Women in India: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…Interestingly, our findings align with those from Turkey, where a study of 274 women reported a similar proportion (34.3%) with adequate knowledge [ 11 ]. In contrast, studies conducted in Nigeria reported lower percentages, with one study among 417 women indicating 18.5% and another among 422 women showing 17.1% [ 12 , 13 ]. Conversely, a study in Greece among 354 women found that 50.8% had adequate knowledge [ 8 ].…”

Acceptability of Prenatal Screening Tests Among Expectant Mothers in India: Insights and Implications for Public Health

“…The findings from various studies conducted in different regions provide valuable insights into the acceptability of prenatal screening tests among pregnant women. In Lagos, a significant majority (81.3%) expressed a belief in the necessity of offering these tests to all expectant mothers, with a substantial proportion (75.1%) indicating a willingness to pursue further diagnostic testing if initial screening results raised concerns [ 15 ]. Similarly, studies in Greece, Ibadan, and Sokoto, and reported high levels of acceptability, with percentages ranging from 68% to 95.2% [ 13 , 16 , 17 ].…”

“…Acceptability scores were positively correlated with the educational status of the participants [ 15 , 16 , 21 ]. In our study, educational attainment emerged as a significant predictor of acceptability, with women holding a university degree demonstrating greater acceptance of prenatal screening tests.…”