title: Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practice Regarding Genetic Testing and Genetic Counselors in Jordan: A Population-Based Survey.
abstract: Genetic testing has a potential in the prevention of genetic diseases, particularly in communities with high rates of consanguineous marriage. Therefore, knowledge, practice, and attitudes of the public in Jordan regarding genetic testing were investigated. Individuals (N = 3,196) were questioned about the concepts of genetic testing and genetic counselors, if they underwent any genetic tests, the type of test, the method of consenting to the test, as well as their level of satisfaction with the privacy of the genetic testing service. The likelihood of pursuing predictive genetic testing for cancer was also investigated. Although almost 70 % of respondents knew the term "genetic testing," only 18 % had undergone genetic testing, primarily the mandatory premarital test. In addition, there was a lack of general knowledge about genetic counselors. Many of those who had genetic testing (45 %) indicated they did not go through a consent process, and a lack of consent was significantly related to dissatisfaction with the privacy of the service. Approximately 55 % of respondents indicated they would potentially pursue predictive genetic testing for cancer. Going for routine health checkups was not significantly correlated with either actual or potential uptake of genetic testing, suggesting health care providers do not play an influential role in patients' testing decisions. Our results show a gap between the knowledge and uptake of genetic testing and may help to guide the design of effective strategies to initiate successful genetic counseling and testing services.
authors: Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman, 11942, Jordan. m.ahram@ju.edu.jo.
authors: Mamoun
authors: M
authors: Ahram
authors: Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman, 11942, Jordan.
authors: Majd
authors: M
authors: Soubani
authors: Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman, 11942, Jordan.
authors: Lana
authors: L
authors: Abu Salem
authors: Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman, 11942, Jordan.
authors: Haneen
authors: H
authors: Saker
authors: Department of Clinical Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan.
authors: Muayyad
authors: M
authors: Ahmad
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003241:Consanguinity; D005260:Female; D005817:Genetic Counseling / Q000523:psychology*; D005820:Genetic Testing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006282:Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D007597:Jordan; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000523:psychology*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D012938:Social Perception; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Cancer; Genetic counselors; Genetic testing; Jordan; Quantitative research