Kenntnisse und Meinungen in der Bevölkerung zum Thema Pränataldiagnostik : eine Untersuchung der Einflüsse von demographischen und biographischen Faktoren

The purpose of study was to examine the knowledge and opinions among the population about certain aspects of prenatal diagnosis and selctive abortion. Important modifying factors in the demographic and biographic data of the persons questioned were to be identified. Among others the questionnaire contains 22 questions concerning knowledge about prenatal diagnosis and two questions concerning personal views on amniocentesis and selective abortion. Between March 2002 and January 2003 it was answered by 2005 people at a rate of return of 67%.Ten demographic factors were examined for their influence on knowledge and opinions, univariate with the X2-test as well as multivariate with logistic regression. The findings were, that the basic techniques of amniocentesis are rather well known among the persons questioned ("taking of the amniotic fluid with a syringe through the abdominal wall", 76,9% correct answers) and that it is considered as part of the routine diagnostic (65% describe it as common method of prenatal diagnosis). At the same time the knowledge of the basis of this examination is not as wide spread: ("Analysis of fetal cells in the amniotic fluid", "assessment of chromosomal number and structure"). It is widely known, that neither the future length nor the intelligence of the child are possible findings, but still only 61,7% of the questioned persons reject the exclusion of all hereditary diseases as correct answer. Also a lack of claritiy is showing concerning the intention of the amniocentesis: only 41% of the questioned persons know that the consequences of an amniocentesis are neither the supply of medication for a fetus with Down's syndrome nor the repair of genes for a fetus with a herediatry disease, but mostly the decision about the termination of pregnancy.The most important factors for correct answers are a better education, female sex, age between 20 and 45 years and an employment in the medical sector. Other factors are former contact with connatal anomalies or diseases, marital status (married people tend to more correct answers), and the existence of own children. Factors of lesser influence are the wish for (more) children and a former miscarriage of the questioned person or his partner.Asked for their own view whether amniocentesis should or should not be used in certain situations, the largest group of questioned persons (39%) opted for the use in every risk pregnancy. Factors for the support of amniocentesis in fewer situations ("in exceptional cases") are female sex, better education, the existence of children, catholic or protestant religion and the correct answers to a sample of the precedent questions.35% of the questioned persons agree with the statement that it is irresponsible to give birth to a severely handicapped child if there is the possibility of a selective abortion. Factors for a negative attitude towards this statement are largely the same as the factors for better knowledge about prenatal diagnosis: better education, female sex, age between 20 and 45 years and in addition the martial status "unmarried".Reasons given for a positive attitude towards the statement above are to spare the child a sorrowful life and/or the unreasonable impairment of the parents, the society or other surroundings by the handicapped child.Of course, it is impossible to deduce a causal connection between the knowledge and the opinions of the questioned persons from these findings. Nevertheless the augmentation of knowledge concerning possibilities and limitations of prenatal diagnosis can surely help to create more differentiated views. Only by this means opinions may be developed that take into account the difficult and complex aspects of this topic. Education and information especially of youths and young adults with poorer school education are essential for a constructive dialogue in our society.

Grantor dc:publisher

Publikationsserver der RWTH Aachen University

Year dc:date

2005

Author dc:creator

• Huneus, Antonia

Contributors dc:contributor

• Zerres, Klaus

• info:eu-repo/classification/ddc/610
• Medizin
• Medizinische Ethik
• Pränatale Diagnostik
• Wissen
• Einstellungen

Statement dc:rights

• info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess

Language dc:language

ger

Identifier

https://publications.rwth-aachen.de/search?p=id:%22RWTH-CONV-123776%22

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:publications.rwth-aachen.de:62187