Abstract
Despite increased visibility and availability of prenatal testing procedures, very little is known about the attitudes among the populace toward these procedures. Using a computer assisted telephone interview of pregnant and non-pregnant women of childbearing age we analyze awareness and attitudes regarding prenatal tests among a diverse group of women of childbearing age in Texas. We also examine maternal characteristics associated with awareness and the willingness to undergo these procedures. While 89% were aware that such tests are available, younger, black and less educated women were less likely to know about prenatal tests for birth defects. Seventy-two percent of respondents said they would want their baby tested while Hispanic and black women were significantly more likely to express an interest than non-Hispanic whites. This study demonstrates the variability of knowledge and beliefs and confirms the importance of taking time to understand an individual’s personal beliefs, knowledge and attitudes about prenatal diagnosis.
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Acknowledgements
Funding for this study was provided in part by the Texas Center for Birth Defects Research and Prevention, Texas Birth Defects Epidemiology and surveillance Branch at the Texas Department of State Health Services, through cooperative agreement U50/CCU613232 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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Case, A.P., Ramadhani, T.A., Canfield, M.A. et al. Awareness and Attitudes Regarding Prenatal Testing among Texas Women of Childbearing Age. J Genet Counsel 16, 655–661 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10897-007-9103-6
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10897-007-9103-6