Knowledge and acceptability of prenatal diagnosis among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in a tertiary health institution in Sokoto, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Technology and advances in research have made it possible for the fetus to become a patient whose illness can be investigated, diagnosed and treated in utero. The study was aimed at assessing the knowledge and acceptability of prenatal diagnosis among pregnant women.Methods: This was a cross-sectional study carried out between December 2016 and March, 2017. Pregnant women attending antennal care clinic at the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto (UDUTH) were recruited via convenient sampling method using semi-structured interviewer questionnaire.Results: A total of 417 pregnant women were interviewed. The mean maternal age was 28.35±5 years with a range between 17 to 45 years. Up to 188 (69.10%) had at least secondary school level of education. There was an overall poor knowledge of prenatal diagnosis, as 406 (97.36%) had little to no idea. There was statistically significant association between knowledge and educational status at p value- 0.0001. Majority, 353 (87.8%) will accept prenatal diagnosis if offered. There was also statistically significant association between educational status and acceptability as well as knowledge of prenatal diagnosis at p value- 0.001 and 0.001 respectively. The noninvasive method, ultrasound was the most preferred by the majority, 332 (84.3%). Termination of pregnancy as an option of management in fetal abnormality was acceptable by up to 2/3 (63.1%) of the respondents.Conclusions: The knowledge of prenatal diagnosis among the respondents was generally poor. The identifiable factor that determined knowledge and acceptability of prenatal diagnosis was level of education.

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

“…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]. In the research conducted in Saudi Arabia, participants expressed their endorsement of government-operated facilities aimed at providing genetic testing or screening services to the country's citizens [18].…”

Prenatal diagnosis and preimplantation genetic diagnosis for sickle cell disease in Africa

“…Chioma et al in South-south Nigeria observed that there is still a gap in knowledge and utilization of PD by at risk couples [6]. Ahmed et al in North-western Nigeria observed that there was overall poor knowledge of PD among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic, and the level of education was a key identifiable factor that determined knowledge and acceptability of PD [25]. Ademosun et al in South-western Nigeria reported that very few (20%) have adequate knowledge about PD as an existing control measure for sickle cell births [2].…”