Are women making informed choices with regard to Combined Ultrasound and Biochemical (CUB) screening in the first trimester of pregnancy?

Background: Previous studies report that women are failing to make informed choices with regard to antenatal screening, due to significant deficits in knowledge. However, current definitions dictate that informed choice occurs not merely as a result of sufficient knowledge, but by acting in line with one’s attitudes despite perceived social pressure (Dormandy et al., 2002). Objective: To investigate whether women are making informed choices with regard to Combined Ultrasound and Biochemical (CUB) screening, using more substantial criteria. Design: Prospective non-experimental. Setting: The Queen Mother’s Maternity Hospital in Glasgow. Sample: 63 women due attend their first antenatal appointment. Outcome measures: responses to a questionnaire constructed for the purposes of the study. Methods: A multidimensional questionnaire measure encompassing demographic factors, areas of knowledge recommended by The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG, 1993) and all aspects of the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB; Ajzen, 1985). Results: Women appeared to be well informed, though there were some worrying misconceptions. Women appeared to intend to act in line with their attitudes, although small numbers of women planning to refuse screening limited findings. Attitude was the strongest predictor of behavioural intention. Conclusions: There appears to be moderate support for the hypothesis that women would make ‘informed choices’, though this is limited by a number of factors which require further investigation.

Level dc:type.qualificationlevel

DClinPsy

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

University of Glasgow

Year dc:date.issued

2007

Author dc:creator

• McGowan, Clare

• BF Psychology
• RG Gynecology and obstetrics

Language dc:language

en