Adolescents and genetic testing: what do they think about it?

Area of Science:

• Medical Genetics
• Adolescent Health
• Public Health

Background:

• Hereditary disorders pose significant health risks.
• Understanding adolescent attitudes towards genetic screening is crucial for public health initiatives.
• Genetic testing offers opportunities for early detection and management of inherited conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate adolescent perspectives on screening for hereditary disorders.
• To assess willingness to undergo genetic testing for specific conditions like familial breast cancer, Tay-Sachs disease, and hypercholesterolemia.
• To identify factors influencing adolescents' attitudes toward genetic screening.

Main Methods:

• A survey was administered to 672 high school students (grades 10-12).
• The survey included information on three hereditary diseases and a questionnaire on attitudes toward genetic testing.
• Statistical analysis, including X2 tests, was used to compare attitudes between different groups.

Main Results:

• Girls expressed higher willingness for genetic testing compared to boys for Tay-Sachs disease and hypercholesterolemia.
• A family history of a specific disease was a significant motivator for genetic testing willingness.
• Concerns about the misuse of genetic information by insurers or employers were reported by only about 25% of participants.

Conclusions:

• Family history of a disease is the primary driver for pursuing genetic testing.
• Adolescent girls demonstrate a greater inclination towards genetic disease screening than adolescent boys.
• Despite increased willingness, a significant portion of at-risk individuals for Tay-Sachs disease were not strongly committed to testing.