Midwives and information on prenatal testing with focus on Down syndrome

Area of Science:

• Maternal and Fetal Health
• Medical Education
• Genetics and Genomics

Background:

• Prenatal diagnosis plays a critical role in managing fetal abnormalities.
• Midwives are key providers of antenatal care and information to expectant parents.
• Effective communication regarding prenatal screening is essential for informed decision-making.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess midwives' knowledge of prenatal diagnosis, specifically Down syndrome.
• To evaluate the information provided by midwives to parents regarding prenatal screening.
• To understand parental inquiries and midwives' self-perceived competence in delivering this information.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional, prospective study design was employed.
• Questionnaires were administered to midwives in outpatient antenatal care settings in Uppsala County, Sweden.
• Data were collected from 64 participating midwives.

Main Results:

• Midwives exhibited variable and often insufficient knowledge about Down syndrome and prenatal tests.
• Information on Down syndrome was predominantly provided upon request or in cases of increased risk.
• Most midwives lacked adequate education on prenatal tests (83-89%) and Down syndrome (97%), with only 9% feeling knowledgeable.
• Expectant parents primarily inquired about test methods and risks, not Down syndrome symptoms or consequences.

Conclusions:

• Midwives require enhanced education on prenatal diagnostic methods and conditions like Down syndrome.
• Ensuring adequate midwife knowledge is vital for providing comprehensive prenatal information to expectant parents.
• There is a significant demand (94%) from midwives for further education in this area.