Attitudes and perceptions about prenatal diagnosis and induced abortion among adults of Pakistani population.
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.
Arif
Muhammad Osman
MO
Medical College, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan. osman_arif@hotmail.com
Fatmi
Zafar
Z
Pardeep
Bhisham
B
Ali
Tuba
T
Iqbal
Hameed
H
Bangash
Haider Khan
HK
Pervaiz
Rushna
R
Altaf
Hira
H
Baba
Javed Ali
JA
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