title: Antenatal counselling for congenital anomaly tests: pregnant Muslim Moroccan women's preferences.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  to gain insight into pregnant Muslim Moroccan women's preferences regarding the content of and approach to antenatal counselling for anomaly screening.
  
  
  METHODS
  qualitative study using in-depth interviews.
  
  
  METHODS
  participants were recruited from one midwifery practice in a medium-sized city near Amsterdam.
  
  
  METHODS
  12 pregnant Muslim Moroccan women who live in an area with a high density of immigrants. DATA COLLECTION AND DATA ANALYSES: we conducted open interviews after the cut-off date for the 20 week fetal anomaly scan and used techniques from the thematic analysis approach described by Braun and Clarke (2006).
  
  
  RESULTS
  pregnant Muslim Moroccan women's preferences towards counselling could be summarised in three main findings. Firstly, pregnant Muslim Moroccan women underlined the importance of accurate and detailed information about the tests procedures and the anomalies that could be detected. Secondly, pregnant Muslim Moroccan women preferred counsellors to initiate discussions about moral topics and its relationship with the women's religious beliefs and values to facilitate an informed choice about whether or not to participate in the screening tests. Thirdly, pregnant Muslim Moroccan women preferred a counsellor who respects and treats them as an individual who has an Islamic background. The counsellor should have practical knowledge of Islamic rulings that are relevant to the anomaly tests.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  pregnant Muslim Moroccan women preferred to be accurately informed about antenatal anomaly tests and to be asked about their individual views on life by a counsellor who has genuine interest in the individual client and applied knowledge of Islamic beliefs regarding the value of life.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  counsellors should explore clients' moral values about quality of life and termination and its relationship with religious beliefs. Counsellors should know about Islamic rulings related to antenatal anomaly screening.
authors: Department of Midwifery Science, AVAG and the EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands; Faculty of Theology, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands. Electronic address: jt.vanderwal@vumc.nl.
authors: Janneke T
authors: JT
authors: Gitsels-van der Wal
authors: Department of Midwifery Science, AVAG and the EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands. Electronic address: linda.martin@inholland.nl.
authors: Linda
authors: L
authors: Martin
authors: Department of Midwifery Science, AVAG and the EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands. Electronic address: judithmannien@gmail.com.
authors: Judith
authors: J
authors: Manniën
authors: University College Roosevelt, Middelburg, Netherlands. Electronic address: n.verhoeven@ucr.nl.
authors: Pieternel
authors: P
authors: Verhoeven
authors: Department of Midwifery Science, AVAG and the EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands; McMaster University, Department of Midwifery Education Program, Hamilton, Canada. Electronic address: huttone@mcmaster.ca.
authors: Eileen K
authors: EK
authors: Hutton
authors: Faculty of Theology, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands. Electronic address: j.s.reinders@vu.nl.
authors: Hans S
authors: HS
authors: Reinders
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002755:Choice Behavior; D000013:Congenital Abnormalities / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003376:Counseling / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007514:Islam / Q000523:psychology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000379:methods*; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D036301:Qualitative Research
keywords: Antenatal diagnosis; Down syndrome; Genetic counselling; Islam; Needs assessment; Personal autonomy