A Spanish-language prenatal family health evaluation questionnaire: Construction and pilot implementation

The Family Planning Council of America has constructed and implemented a genetic history questionnaire, the Family Health Evaluation, to elicit risk factors, to increase clients' knowledge about reproductive choices, and to improve access to genetic services. The objective of the present study was to develop and implement a Spanish-language version of the Family Health Evaluation for data collection and risk assessment. The content of the Family Health Evaluation was modified to more clearly reflect the risks, exposures, and medical needs of an Hispanic, largely Mexican-American, population. In the present study, the questionnaire was administered to women presenting for prenatal care. The data collected in this pilot study indicate that the questionnaire is effective in identifying individuals and families who would benefit from receiving additional information about a medical condition in their families, from genetic counseling or from a referral for high-resolution ultrasound or other diagnostic procedures.