Determination of the Effect of Briefing on Opinions and Concerns about Non-Invasive Prenatal Test

Abstract

INTRODUCTION[|]This study was planned to determine and compare the opinions and concerns of healthcare professionals and other individuals about prenatal diagnostic tests and to investigate the effect of detailed information about the procedure to be performed on opinions and concerns. [¤]METHODS[|]A data collection form prepared by the authors was used in this study. At the beginning of the form, the participants were given information about the research. In the second section, 'Prenatal screening tests information text' that has been prepared in two different levels as 'short' and 'long' was included. There were questions about the sociodemographic characteristics of the participants and their experiences about pregnancy in the third part of the data collection form. In the last part of the form, there were 18 questions to determine the opinions of the participants about the use of non-invasive prenatal tests (NIPT) and 14 questions to determine the concerns about the use of NIPT. All of the32 questions consisted of five-point Likert type items. Any population sampling was not utilized in the present study. [¤]RESULTS[|]The two items, in which the participants have the highest perception of anxiety were the expansion of the test to screen the entire genome and the inequalities in accessibility due to cost. When answers given to the questionnaire items given long and short information texts were compared, the mean score from the item 'I would only do whatever my doctor suggested to have this test done for myself or my spouse' was statistically significantly higher in those given the long text compared to those given the short text. There were no significant differences in mean item scores except this item. Short or long briefing son NIPT did not generally seem to change the views and concerns about the test.[¤]DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION[|]Some opinions and concerns about NIPT differ among healthcare professionals and other participants, as well as across different branches of healthcare professionals. Issues such as the reliability of the test for the mother and the baby, requirement for genetic counseling, extension of the screening content, and public funding of the test are emphasized by healthcare professionals, and non-healthcare individuals. Providing written information about NIPT at different levels does not seem to lead to a significant change in views and attitudes on the subject. Existing data need to be longitudinally validated in larger study groups using qualitative methods.[¤]

Keywords

• non-invasive prenatal testing
• ethics
• informed consent