title: Attitudes and perceptions about prenatal diagnosis and induced abortion among adults of Pakistani population.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Perception and attitude regarding prenatal screening and induced abortion vary across different populations. This study assesses the attitudes and perceptions regarding prenatal screening and induced abortion among Pakistani adults.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a cross-sectional study among adults (18+) coming to the Aga Khan University Hospital, a private tertiary care hospital in Karachi, Pakistan.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Majority (65%) of the study population had knowledge about prenatal screening and it was acceptable to most (85.5%) of them. Significant proportion had high acceptance for induced abortion (23%) of a fetus that has serious congenital anomalies. On the other hand, 15% were unwilling to consider termination of pregnancy (TOP) in any circumstances. Women had more favorable attitude toward induced abortion. Most of the respondents (63%) were in favor of abortion if fetal death was imminent as a result of a congenital abnormality. Majority wanted mutual consultation of husband and wife for making decision regarding induced abortion (84%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There was a considerable discord in opinion about abortion in the study population. Health care providers should involve both parents in making decisions about abortions and counsel them adequately about congenital disorders.
authors.affiliation: Medical College, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan. osman_arif@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Muhammad Osman
authors.initials: MO
authors.lastname: Arif
authors.forename: Zafar
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Fatmi
authors.forename: Bhisham
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Pardeep
authors.forename: Tuba
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ali
authors.forename: Hameed
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Iqbal
authors.forename: Haider Khan
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Bangash
authors.forename: Rushna
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pervaiz
authors.forename: Hira
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Altaf
authors.forename: Javed Ali
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Baba
mesh_terms: D000028:Abortion, Induced / Q000523:psychology*; D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010154:Pakistan; D010465:Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult