Attitudes of Israeli Muslims at risk of genetic disorders towards pregnancy termination.
OBJECTIVE
(1) To examine attitudes towards termination of pregnancy (TOP) among high-risk and non-high-risk (for cystic fibrosis) Arab-Muslims, and (2) to examine the effect of an intervention, which among other things related explicitly to TOP.


METHODS
The study comprised three groups: (1) an intervention group at high risk for CF, which received community genetic counseling; (2) a control group at high risk for CF, and (3) a control group from the general population. The latter two groups were exposed to minimal intervention. Attitudes were measured two or three times during a 1-year period (for the control and intervention groups, respectively).


RESULTS
Predictors of an affected fetus being considered a legitimate cause for TOP were religiosity, familiarity with an affected child, and benefits of the test. Predictors of individuals (hypothetically) choosing abortion in the case of an affected fetus were education and age. No change occurred in the attitudes of participants (either experimental or control groups) in the course of 1 year.


CONCLUSIONS
Other possible intervention options are discussed, and specifically, the advantages of using opinion leaders such as clergy and medical staff.
Neter
Efrat
E
Department of Behavioral Sciences, Ruppin Academic Center, Emeq Hefer, Israel. neter@ruppin.ac.il
Wolowelsky
Yael
Y
Borochowitz
Zvi U
ZU
D000028:Abortion, Induced / Q000523:psychology*; D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology*; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D030342:Genetic Diseases, Inborn; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D007514:Islam / Q000523:psychology*; D007557:Israel; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D012068:Religion and Medicine; D012306:Risk