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. 2021 Jun 4:39:106.
doi: 10.11604/pamj.2021.39.106.23667. eCollection 2021.

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

Chibuzor Franklin Ogamba  1 , Ochuwa Adiketu Babah  2 , Alero Ann Roberts  3 , Jamaji C Nwanaji-Enwerem  4 , Pamaji Nwanaji-Enwerem  5 , Chibuikem Anthony Ikwuegbuenyi  1 , Oluwaseun Joseph Ologunja  1
Affiliations

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

Chibuzor Franklin Ogamba et al. Pan Afr Med J. .

Abstract

Introduction: 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.

Methods: 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.

Results: 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).

Conclusion: 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.

Keywords: Prenatal diagnosis; congenital anomalies; genetic diseases; pregnant women; termination of pregnancy.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
respondents´ awareness of and use of tests; bar chart showing the distribution of respondents who indicated awareness of and use of the various tests listed in study questionnaire
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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