Correlates of knowledge of genetic diseases and congenital anomalies among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in Lagos, South-West Nigeria

• Published in: The Pan African medical journal Vol. 38; no. 310; p. 310
• Main Authors: Ogamba, Chibuzor Franklin, Roberts, Alero Ann, Babah, Ochuwa Adiketu, Ikwuegbuenyi, Chibuikem Anthony, Ologunja, Oluwaseun Joseph, Amodeni, Oluyinka Kehinde
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Uganda African Field Epidemiology Network 2021; The African Field Epidemiology Network; The Pan African Medical Journal
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Age; Aged; Birth defects; Congenital Abnormalities - diagnosis; congenital anomalies; Congenital diseases; Cross-Sectional Studies; Education; Families & family life; Female; genetic diseases; Genetic Diseases, Inborn - diagnosis; Genetic disorders; Health facilities; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Hospitals, Teaching; Humans; Knowledge; Medical diagnosis; Middle Aged; Mortality; Mothers; Nigeria; Patient Acceptance of Health Care - statistics & numerical data; Pregnancy; pregnant women; Pregnant Women - psychology; Prenatal Care - psychology; prenatal diagnosis; Prenatal Diagnosis - psychology; Public health; Questionnaires; Sickle cell disease; Sociodemographics; Surveys and Questionnaires; Teaching hospitals; Womens health; Young Adult; Nigeria; pregnant women; congenital anomalies; Genetic diseases; prenatal diagnosis
• ISSN: 1937-8688; 1937-8688
• DOI: 10.11604/pamj.2021.38.310.26636

genetic diseases and congenital anomalies place a significant burden on the health of new-borns and their mothers. Despite the availability of a variety of prenatal screening tests, mothers' knowledge has been documented to determine uptake. This study aims to assess the knowledge of pregnant women about birth defects and the associated correlates with regard to willingness to do prenatal screening. a cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 422 antenatal mothers recruited sequentially as they attended antenatal clinics at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to determine their knowledge of birth defects and willingness to do prenatal testing. majority of the participants (92.2%) had at least secondary education. The mean total knowledge score of the respondents was 63%. Age and knowledge scores were not significantly correlated (r=-0.071, p=0.14). Being employed predicted higher knowledge scores (95% CI: 0.09, 2.09, p=0.03). Respondents who had primary school education and those who replied "I don't know" to willingness to test had significantly lower knowledge scores (95% CI: -15.01, -1.19, p=0.02 and 95% CI: -4.52, -0.68, p=0.01 respectively). Majority (79.1%) of the respondents were willing to undergo testing. Respondents' level of education was significantly associated with willingness to test (p=0.03). the observed knowledge gaps were considerable. There is need for improvement in education, the empowerment of women and access to quality healthcare including prenatal screening.