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  • Title: Awareness and use of prenatal diagnosis among Greek women: a national survey.
    Author: Mavrou A, Metaxotou C, Trichopoulos D.
    Journal: Prenat Diagn; 1998 Apr; 18(4):349-55. PubMed ID: 9602481.
    Abstract:
    The prevention of genetic diseases through prenatal diagnosis depends to a large extent on the awareness and acceptance of available methods by the public. A national survey was conducted among Greek women in order to explore their attitudes towards and their use of prenatal diagnosis in relation to their lifestyle. The survey was originally addressed to 3000 Greek women 18-65 years of age. Using as a criterion having a child 5 years old or younger, 350 women were eligible for the study. It was noted that 52 per cent of the respondents were adequately informed, while 48 per cent had either superficial knowledge of the subject or no knowledge at all. Amniocentesis was the method that most women were familiar with. The majority said that they were informed by their doctors and the media, and 13 per cent of the participants had prenatal diagnosis during a previous pregnancy. Twenty-two per cent of those who were not tested were over 35 years of age at the time of pregnancy. There was a significant positive correlation between awareness and acceptance of prenatal diagnosis, on the one hand, and the social, educational and financial profile of the women, on the other. Women aware of prenatal diagnosis adhered more closely to a healthy lifestyle and lived a family-centred life. The prevention of genetic diseases and congenital anomalies through prenatal diagnosis depends on public awareness and acceptance of the available methods. These factors were investigated in 1995 in a national survey of 350 Greek women with a child 5 years of age or younger. In Greece, prenatal testing is available at no charge to all eligible women who request it and has been widely publicized since 1976. 181 women (51.7%) were adequately informed about prenatal diagnosis, while the remaining 169 (48.3%) had superficial knowledge or no knowledge at all. 151 women knew about amniocentesis, 85 were aware of biochemical screening tests, 70 knew about ultrasound scanning, and 29 mentioned chorionic villus sampling. Physicians and the media were the main sources of knowledge about the subject. 47 women (13.4%) had undergone prenatal diagnosis during a previous pregnancy--30 because of advanced maternal age and 10 for "additional safety." 67 women (22%) who had not been tested were over 35 years old at last pregnancy. The reasons given by women eligible for prenatal diagnosis for not having the test were that there was no problem with the pregnancy or the doctor did not recommend it. No respondent cited financial, social, or ethical reasons for not accessing this procedure. Women's awareness of prenatal diagnosis increased with age, educational level, socioeconomic status, family income, and urban residence.
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