Knowledge, Beliefs, and Decisions of Pregnant Australian Women Concerning Donation and Storage of Umbilical Cord Blood: A Population‐Based Survey

Abstract

Background: Many women giving birth in Australian hospitals can choose to donate their child's umbilical cord blood to a public cord blood bank or pay to store it privately. We conducted a survey to determine the proportion and characteristics of pregnant women who are aware of umbilical cord blood (UCB) banking and who have considered and decided about this option. The survey also sought to ascertain information sources, knowledge and beliefs about UCB banking, and the effect of basic information about UCB on decisions. Methods: Researchers and/or hospital maternity staff distributed a survey with basic information about UCB banking to 1,873 women of at least 24 weeks gestation who were attending antenatal classes and hospital clinics in 14 Public and private maternity hospitals in New South Wales. Results: Most respondents (70.7%) were aware of UCB banking. Their main information sources were leaflets from hospital clinics, print media, antenatal classes, TV, radio, friends and relatives. Knowledge about UCB banking was patchy, and respondents overestimated the likelihood their child would need or benefit from UCB. Women who were undecided about UCB banking were younger, less educated or from ethnic or rural backgrounds. After providing basic information about UCB banking, the proportion of respondents who indicated they had decided whether or not to donate or store UCB more than doubled from 30.0% to 67.7%. Conclusions: Basic information for parents about UCB banking can affect planned decisions about UCB banking. Information should be accurate and balanced, should counter misconceptions, and should target specific groups.

Knowledge and attitudes among pregnant women and maternity staff about umbilical cord blood banking

“…However, almost two-thirds of maternity staff members would like additional information about this topic and it is also important for family doctors to have knowledge about UCB as they can communicate this information to prospective parents. According to a recently published study, providing basic information to expecting parents makes them more prone to deciding whether or not to donate UCB (Jordens et al, 2014). A vast majority of staff members in this study would store or recommend storing UCB if feasible and absolutely prefer public banking, revealing a strong altruistic feature of health care providers.…”

Public–private divide: cultural and social factors in women's attitudes toward cord blood banking in Jordan

“…This preference suggests that Jordan's public CB bank may find higher acceptance among women at public hospitals but will require robust educational campaigns to raise awareness about the pros and cons of CB banking and the option to donate. Providing more information has been shown to improve perspectives about CB banking …”

“…Providing more information has been shown to improve perspectives about CB banking. 20,21 Women at public hospitals may favor father-only informed consent more than women at private hospitals for a variety of reasons. The difference is associated with socioeconomic status, but may also reflect the traditional legal and cultural role of fathers as responsible for the security of and major decisions regarding the children.…”

Ethnicity or cultural group identity of pregnant women in Sydney, Australia: Is country of birth a reliable proxy measure?

“…Other survey research found similar complexity and variation in responses to ethnicity questions among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics across Greater Sydney. 30 Less than half of the overseas born women, and approximately one-quarter of Australian-born women identified with a cultural group or ethnicity. The majority of women did not.…”