title: Perception of Genetic Testing for Deafness and Factors Associated with Interest in Genetic Testing Among Deaf People in a Selected Population in Sub-Saharan Africa.
abstract: Understanding the perceptions of genetic testing by members of the deaf community may help in planning deafness genetics research, especially so in the context of strong adherence to cultural values as found among native Africans. Among Yorubas in Nigeria, deafness is perceived to be caused by some offensive actions of the mother during pregnancy, spiritual attack, and childhood infections. We studied attitudes towards, and acceptance of genetic testing by the deaf community in Nigeria. Structured questionnaires were administered to individuals sampled from the Vocational Training Centre for the Deaf, the religious Community, and government schools, among others. The main survey items elicited information about the community in which the deaf people participate, their awareness of genetic testing, whether or not they view genetic testing as acceptable, and their understanding of the purpose of genetic testing. There were 150 deaf participants (61.3 % males, 38.7 % females) with mean age of 26.7 years ±9.8. A majority of survey respondents indicated they relate only with other members of the deaf community (78 %) and reported believing genetic testing does more good than harm (79.3 %); 57 % expressed interest in genetic testing. Interest in genetic testing for deafness or in genetic testing in pregnancy was not related to whether respondents relate primarily to the deaf or to the hearing community. However, a significantly higher number of male respondents and respondents with low education reported interest in genetic testing.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Babatunde O
authors.initials: BO
authors.lastname: Adedokun
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Bidemi O
authors.initials: BO
authors.lastname: Yusuf
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria.
authors.forename: J Taye
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Lasisi
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Oyo State Teaching Service Commission, Ibadan, Nigeria.
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Jinadu
authors.affiliation: Research Assistant, Oyo State Teaching Service Commission, Ibadan, Nigeria.
authors.forename: M T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Sunmonu
authors.affiliation: Research Assistant, Oyo State Teaching Service Commission, Ibadan, Nigeria.
authors.forename: A F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Ashanke
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, PO Box 22040, Ibadan, Nigeria. akeemlasisi@gmail.com.
authors.forename: O Akeem
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: Lasisi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001364:Awareness; D003638:Deafness / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D005817:Genetic Counseling / Q000523:psychology*; D005820:Genetic Testing / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009549:Nigeria; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology*; D019986:Persons with Hearing Disabilities / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: Attitude; Deaf; Demographic profile; Genetic counseling; Genetic testing; Interest; Nigeria; Perception