Expectation and knowledge of pregnant women undergoing first and second trimester ultrasound examination in a Chinese population.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate expectation and knowledge on obstetric ultrasound examination in the first and second trimester in a Chinese population.


METHODS
A cross-sectional survey was conducted in a university obstetric clinic in Hong Kong. Chinese pregnant women who underwent the first trimester early scan sessions, or the second trimester anomaly scan sessions were invited to complete a self-administered questionnaire, which contained items on their knowledge, expectation, and sociodemographic characteristics.


RESULTS
In all 276 eligible pregnant women (117 in the first trimester and 159 in the second trimester) were recruited. Although 249 women (90.2%) claimed they understood the indication of the ultrasound examination, only 93 of them were correct (33.7%). The median perceived overall-detection rate for structural abnormalities was 66.5%. Living in Hong Kong for more than 7 years was significantly associated with higher knowledge level and expectation from ultrasound examination. Attaining tertiary education level was also significantly associated with higher knowledge level. Over 90% of the pregnant women studied wished to know the fetal gender from the anomaly scan examination.


CONCLUSIONS
Knowledge of Chinese pregnant women on ultrasound was generally unsatisfactory. Understanding their limitation of knowledge and expectations helps to devise appropriate education in the local setting.
Fetal Medicine Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR. danielchan@cuhk.edu.hk
Lin Wai
LW
Chan
Oi Ka
OK
Chan
Mo Ching Macy
MC
Chau
Daljit Singh
DS
Sahota
Tak Yeung
TY
Leung
Tak Yuen
TY
Fung
Tze Kin
TK
Lau
D000328:Adult; D044466:Asian People; D002681:China; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal