Women's opinions on the offer and use of nuchal translucency screening for Down syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
To study the attitude of Dutch women to the offer and subsequent (non)use of nuchal translucency (NT) screening for Down syndrome in the first trimester of pregnancy, in a country where screening is not routinely offered under 36 years of age.


METHODS
An experimental NT screening programme offered to pregnant women, together with a series of questionnaires to be completed before and after the offer and (non)use of screening, in 12 midwife practices in three different health districts.


METHODS
Cohort of pregnant women who had their first prenatal care visit in the participating midwife practices between 1 June 1999 and 1 January 2001.


METHODS
Women's knowledge and understanding of prenatal screening tests; attitude towards screening offer; perceived freedom of choice; satisfaction with information given; change in attitude over time.


RESULTS
Eighty-six percent of women accepted the offer of NT screening. Seventy percent had previous knowledge of NT screening and 92% considered the information given before screening clear and sufficient. Thirty-nine percent of women felt worried to some extent after being given the information, but only 3% would have preferred not to have been informed at all. Ninety percent of women (including 68% of decliners) agree that information on Down syndrome screening should be extended to all pregnant women and feel competent in deciding on screening participation.


CONCLUSIONS
When NT screening is offered as a new screening strategy its concept is understood and well accepted. The large majority of women, including the decliners, are in favour of its standard offer.
Müller
Moira A
MA
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Academic Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. m.a.muller@amc.uva.nl
Bleker
Otto P
OP
Bonsel
Gouke J
GJ
Bilardo
Caterina M
CM
D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004314:Down Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology; D009426:Netherlands; D048208:Nuchal Translucency Measurement / Q000523:psychology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires