Antenatal screening and informed choice: a cross-sectional survey of parents and professionals.
BACKGROUND
antenatal screening for fetal abnormalities is now offered to all pregnant women in many countries in Europe. Previous studies have shown that women and their partners may not make informed choices about screening.


OBJECTIVE
to investigate knowledge of screening in both prospective parents and professionals offering screening in England, and to identify the ways in which pregnant women and their partners could be supported to make informed decisions about antenatal screening.


METHODS
cross-sectional survey design. Data were collected from July 2007 to January 2008 using two self-completion questionnaires.


METHODS
questionnaires were completed by: (i) pregnant women (n=100) and their partners (n=11), and (ii) midwives involved in offering antenatal screening (n=78).


METHODS
demographic data and survey responses were analysed using descriptive statistics and cross-tabulations.


RESULTS
some midwives lack accurate knowledge about screening and the conditions for which screening is offered. Parents wish to have information about screening at an earlier stage and would like the prospective father to be included in screening discussions. There is evidence that many parents do not perceive the second trimester ultrasound scan as a method of screening. Balanced information about the lives of people with Down syndrome would be seen as helpful by many parents.


CONCLUSIONS
further efforts need to be made to educate midwives more fully so that pregnant women and their partners are able to make informed choices about screening. Balanced information about the lives of people with Down syndrome should be available to prospective parents to support their decision making.
Skirton
Heather
H
School of Nursing and Community Studies, University of Plymouth, Taunton TA1 5YD, UK. heather.skirton@plymouth.ac.uk
Barr
Owen
O
D000015:Abnormalities, Multiple / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000328:Adult; D000739:Anecdotes as Topic; D002755:Choice Behavior; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D024802:Nurse's Role; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000379:methods*; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult