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Determinates of underutilization of amniocentesis among Israeli Arab women
Author(s) -
Muhsen Khitam,
Na'amnah Wasef,
Lesser Yael,
Volovik Irina,
Cohen Dani,
Shohat Tamy
Publication year - 2010
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.2428
Subject(s) - amniocentesis , obstetrics , medicine , gynecology , pregnancy , prenatal diagnosis , fetus , biology , genetics
Objectives To study the determinants of amniocentesis underutilization among Israeli Arab Muslim women. Methods Pregnant women referred for amniocentesis ( n = 476) were identified through family health centers (FHCs). Data on sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge of prenatal testing, and attitudes toward termination of pregnancy (TOP) were collected through interviews and from medical records. Results Of all women eligible for amniocentesis free of charge, only 17.9% (95% CI: 14.7–21.6) underwent the test. Women referred as a result of advanced maternal age underwent the test less often than those referred for other indications [13.5% and 25.0%, respectively, ( p = 0.002)]. In multivariate analyses, determinants for amniocentesis underutilization among women referred for advanced maternal age were: being religious [OR 2.71 (95% CI 1.04–7.01)], perceiving amniocentesis a risky procedure [OR 3.25 (95% CI 1.28–8.20)], spouse's opposing TOP [OR 3.73 (95% CI 1.48–9.37)], less advanced age [OR 0.74 (95% CI 0.58–0.94)] and being a housewife [OR 2.59 (95% CI 0.96–6.95)]. In women referred for other reasons poor accessibility [OR 5.49 (95% CI 1.50–20.05)], perceiving amniocentesis a risky procedure [OR 3.45 (95% CI 1.17–10.17)] and spouse's opposing TOP [OR 7.47 (95% CI 2.46–22.63)] were the significant determinants. Conclusions Any program aimed at increasing amniocentesis uptake among Muslim women should be directed to both partners and should emphasize the low risk for miscarriage following the test. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.