Determinants associated with making prenatal screening decisions in a national study

Area of Science:

• Medical Genetics
• Reproductive Health
• Sociology of Health

Background:

• Prenatal screening test choices are influenced by social, demographic, and emotional factors, often varying by cultural preferences.
• Women integrate subjective beliefs and values, potentially prioritizing emotional factors over objective risk status in testing decisions.
• The impact of psychological factors on genetic testing decisions among Israeli Jewish and Arab populations remains understudied.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate associations between background exposures and psychological determinants of prenatal test endorsement among postpartum Jewish and Arab women.
• To assess the independent and aggregative effects of contextual features, subjective opinions, and attitudes on prenatal testing.
• To understand how cultural background and personal beliefs influence prenatal screening choices in diverse populations.

Main Methods:

• Logistic regression analysis was employed to evaluate the associations between background exposures, psychological determinants, and prenatal test uptake.
• The study analyzed independent and aggregative effects of contextual features and individual attitudes towards prenatal testing.
• Data were collected from postpartum Jewish and Arab women to examine decision-making processes for genetic testing.

Main Results:

• Positive opinions on screening and favorable attitudes toward pregnancy termination were significantly associated with higher prenatal screening uptake among Jewish women.
• A greater inclination towards abortion correlated with increased use of nuchal translucency and ultrasound screening among Arab women.
• Background factors and psychological perceptions, including supportive attitudes towards screening and willingness to undergo abortion, were generally related to prenatal test uptake.

Conclusions:

• Prenatal test choices are multifaceted, influenced by cultural settings, individual preferences, and psychological factors, varying significantly between population groups.
• Culturally sensitive counseling that incorporates personal preferences and risk appraisals can empower women to make informed prenatal testing decisions.
• Integrating socio-demographics, psychological correlates, and contextual factors into theoretical frameworks for sub-population research can inform genetic counseling needs and national health policies.