title: Reproductive behaviour of couples at risk for sickle cell disease in Cuba: a follow-up study.
abstract: Three hundred and forty-three Cuban women at risk of having children with sickle cell anaemia or sickle cell-haemoglobin C disease were interviewed 2-8 years after the index pregnancy (that in which their risk was detected). The aim was to collect information on their attitude towards prenatal diagnosis in subsequent pregnancies. Twenty-two per cent (75/343) had dissolved their marriage and 9 per cent of these (7/75) considered that their at-risk status had influenced the separation. Sixty-three per cent of stable couples at risk (168/268) had decided to have no further children; 27 per cent of these (45/168) were afraid of having an affected child and 4 per cent (7/168) were afraid of the obstetric procedure. Nineteen per cent of the stable couples at risk (52/268) had had at least one further child or pregnancy. Of these, 44 per cent (23/52) requested prenatal diagnosis early and spontaneously, and a further 44 per cent (23/52) requested prenatal diagnosis but after re-identification by screening and recounselling. Only 12 per cent (6/52) did not request prenatal diagnosis. Attitude towards prenatal diagnosis was most positive among more educated women. The general perception of the prevention programme was good.
authors.affiliation: National Centre of Medical Genetics, Higher Institute of Medical Sciences of Havana, Playa, La Habana, Cuba.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dorticós-Balea
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Martin-Ruiz
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hechevarria-Fernández
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Robaina-Castellanos
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rodriguez-Blanco
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Moras-Bracero
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Granda Ibarra
mesh_terms: D000755:Anemia, Sickle Cell / Q000175:diagnosis*; D001290:Attitude; D003462:Cuba; D004243:Divorce; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005817:Genetic Counseling; D006450:Hemoglobin SC Disease / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D012307:Risk Factors