Knowledge, attitudes, and decision making towards prenatal testing among antenatal clinic attendees in Lagos University Teaching Hospital: an institution-based cross-sectional study

• Published in: The Pan African medical journal Vol. 39; p. 106
• Main Authors: Ogamba, Chibuzor Franklin, Babah, Ochuwa Adiketu, Roberts, Alero Ann, Nwanaji-Enwerem, Jamaji C, Nwanaji-Enwerem, Pamaji, Ikwuegbuenyi, Chibuikem Anthony, Ologunja, Oluwaseun Joseph
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Uganda The African Field Epidemiology Network 2021
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Cross-Sectional Studies; Decision Making; Female; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Hospitals, University; Humans; Middle Aged; Nigeria; Pregnancy; Prenatal Care - methods; Prenatal Diagnosis - psychology; Surveys and Questionnaires; Young Adult; Nigeria; genetic diseases; Prenatal diagnosis; pregnant women; congenital anomalies; termination of pregnancy
• ISSN: 1937-8688; 1937-8688
• DOI: 10.11604/pamj.2021.39.106.23667

in Africa, genetic diseases and congenital anomalies remain a significant source of morbidity and mortality. Existing data suggests a gap in the use of prenatal tests among pregnant women to better inform decision making. We examined relationships of socio-demographic factors with willingness to terminate affected pregnancies, and the use of, knowledge of, and attitudes towards prenatal screening/diagnostic tests. this was a cross-sectional descriptive study of pregnant women who attended antenatal clinics at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (N = 422) selected by convenience sampling. Responses were obtained with assisted self-administered structured questionnaires. mean ± S.D. age of the respondents was 32.5 ± 5.3 years. The majority of the participants (92.2%) had at least a secondary education. Ultrasound scans in the second trimester were the most frequently used test (39.1%). Only 77 (18.2%) of the respondents indicated willingness to terminate affected pregnancies. The majority of the respondents had fair knowledge and good attitude scores. Knowledge and attitude scores were significantly correlated (r = 0.25, p < 0.001). Compared to married women, being single was associated with a 2.62-point lower knowledge score (95% CI: -4.63, -0.62, p = 0.01). Compared to women who responded "no" when asked if they were willing to terminate an affected pregnancy, women who responded "maybe" had a 0.81-point lower attitude score (95% CI: -1.45, -0.17, p = 0.01). our results suggest important socio-demographic differences in women´s knowledge/ behaviours towards prenatal diagnostic tests. Further research is needed to explore these relationships and broader pregnancy-related ethical beliefs among pregnant women in Lagos.