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The usage of pregnancy tests in one health district
1Salisbury Health Authority, Wiltshire, UK.
Objective:
To investigate the total number of pregnancy tests performed and the proportion that are repeated in one health district. To relate these results to the number of conceptions.
Design:
Collection of data related to the numbers of pregnancy tests performed from all sources. Surveys of women booking for antenatal care or undergoing nonroutine obstetric ultrasound examination.
Setting:
One health district in the south of England.
Results:
About five pregnancy tests were performed for each proven pregnancy. Nearly two-thirds of tests were purchased over the counter, the remainder being carried out by hospital laboratories and pregnancy advisory services. Very few women had their pregnancy diagnosed on clinical grounds alone and a small number of ultrasound examinations were apparently performed in lieu of chemical tests. Repeated testing was more likely in primiparous women (P < 0.005).
Conclusions:
Chemical pregnancy tests appear to be trusted more than clinical examination for the diagnosis of pregnancy by women and doctors. When there is no medical urgency, women who want formal confirmation of pregnancy should be advised that home testing kits will provide the quickest results.