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Women's opinions on the offer and use of nuchal translucency screening for Down syndrome
Author(s) -
Müller Moira A.,
Bleker Otto P.,
Bonsel Gouke J.,
Bilardo Caterina M.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
prenatal diagnosis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.956
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1097-0223
pISSN - 0197-3851
DOI - 10.1002/pd.1344
Subject(s) - medicine , prenatal screening , family medicine , down syndrome , nuchal translucency , pregnancy , prenatal care , antenatal screening , first trimester , obstetrics , gynecology , prenatal diagnosis , gestation , population , fetus , genetics , environmental health , psychiatry , biology
Objective To study the attitude of Dutch women to the offer and subsequent (non)use of nuchal translucency (NT) screening for Down syndrome in the first trimester of pregnancy, in a country where screening is not routinely offered under 36 years of age. Methods An experimental NT screening programme offered to pregnant women, together with a series of questionnaires to be completed before and after the offer and (non)use of screening, in 12 midwife practices in three different health districts. Participants Cohort of pregnant women who had their first prenatal care visit in the participating midwife practices between 1 June 1999 and 1 January 2001. Main Outcome Measures Women's knowledge and understanding of prenatal screening tests; attitude towards screening offer; perceived freedom of choice; satisfaction with information given; change in attitude over time. Results Eighty‐six percent of women accepted the offer of NT screening. Seventy percent had previous knowledge of NT screening and 92% considered the information given before screening clear and sufficient. Thirty‐nine percent of women felt worried to some extent after being given the information, but only 3% would have preferred not to have been informed at all. Ninety percent of women (including 68% of decliners) agree that information on Down syndrome screening should be extended to all pregnant women and feel competent in deciding on screening participation. Conclusion When NT screening is offered as a new screening strategy its concept is understood and well accepted. The large majority of women, including the decliners, are in favour of its standard offer. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.