title: Risk perception of pregnancy promotes disapproval of gestational surrogacy: analysis of a nationally representative opinion survey in Japan.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To clarify the relationship between the general attitude towards gestational surrogacy and risk perception about pregnancy and infertility treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study analysed the data of nationally representative cross-sectional surveys from 2007 concerning assisted reproductive technologies. The participants represented the general Japanese population. We used this data to carry out multivariate analysis. The main outcome measures were adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals from logistic regression models for factors including the effect of pregnancy risk perception on the attitude toward gestational surrogacy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In this survey, 3412 participants responded (response rate of 68.2%). With regard to the attitude towards gestational surrogacy, 54.0% of the respondents approved of it, and 29.7% stated that they were undecided. The perception of a high level of risk concerning ectopic pregnancy, threatened miscarriage or premature birth, and pregnancy-induced hypertension influenced the participants' attitudes towards gestational surrogacy. Moreover, this perception of risk also contributed to a disapproval of the technique.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings suggest that a person who understands the risks associated with pregnancy might clearly express their disapproval of gestational surrogacy.
authors: Department of Health Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, Japan.
authors: Kohta
authors: K
authors: Suzuki
authors: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan ; Japan Medical Association Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan.
authors: Rintaro
authors: R
authors: Sawa
authors: Department of Public Policy, Human Genome Center, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
authors: Kaori
authors: K
authors: Muto
authors: Maternal and Perinatal Center, Tokyo Women's Medical University, Tokyo, Japan.
authors: Satoshi
authors: S
authors: Kusuda
authors: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
authors: Kouji
authors: K
authors: Banno
authors: Department of Health Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, Japan.
authors: Zentaro
authors: Z
authors: Yamagata
keywords: Gestational Pregnancy; Infertility; Public Opinion; Risk Assessment; Surrogate Mothers