title: Development of a self-administered questionnaire to measure women's knowledge of prenatal screening and diagnostic tests.
abstract: A prerequisite to an informed decision to undergo any screening or diagnostic test is knowledge about such a test. This study describes the development of a self-administered questionnaire to measure knowledge of prenatal tests, for use in studies concerning the uptake of these tests. Both the reliability (internal and test-retest) and predictive validity are evaluated. Validity is assessed in two studies: first, comparison is made between three criterion groups (two with experience of pregnancy, one without); and second, scores on the questionnaire are compared before and after women have been provided with information about possible tests. The results show this to be both a reliable and valid measure of knowledge about prenatal tests. The results also highlight aspects of knowledge that are lacking. For example, a sizeable minority of women were uncertain or incorrect in identifying which tests they had undergone in a recent pregnancy.
authors.affiliation: Psychology Unit, Royal Free Hospital School of Medicine, London.
authors.forename: T M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Marteau
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Johnston
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Plenicar
authors.forename: R W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Shaw
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Slack
mesh_terms: D000649:Amniocentesis / Q000523:psychology; D001294:Attitude to Health; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000523:psychology*; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis / Q000379:methods*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011581:Psychological Tests; D016136:Spina Bifida Occulta / Q000517:prevention & control