Men's Knowledge About Maternal Serum Screening for Down Syndrome and their Attitude Towards Amniocentesis.
The present study aimed to assess (i) the impact of screening consultation on male partner's knowledge about second trimester maternal serum screening for Down syndrome and on their attitudes toward amniocentesis, and (ii) the concomitant effect of men's involvement in pregnancy on both knowledge and attitudes. The study included 164 men who accompanied their partners to the screening appointment. Knowledge Questionnaire and Partner's Involvement in Pregnancy Scale with two dimensions, support and distance, were administered. Involvement in pregnancy was determined using two factors; support and distance. Findings revealed a significant post-consultation improvement in men's knowledge about the test, but less-educated men and those who were more distanced from partner and pregnancy were less knowledgeable even post-consultation. Compared to before the consultation, most men had a positive attitude toward amniocentesis and were willing to suggest it to their partners in case of positive test results (77 % and 42 %, respectively). The remainder would either leave the decision to their partners (20 %) or were undecided (3 %). Higher perception of distance was associated with men's unwillingness to be involved in amniocentesis decisions, particularly before consultation. However, the consultation had considerable potential to engage men with this attitude in the decision-making process. The study highlights the need to change woman-oriented prenatal screening practices for Down syndrome to involve their male partners in the consultation.
Department of Biology and Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, University of Rijeka, Braće Branchetta 20, 51000, Rijeka, Croatia. bojanabm@uniri.hr.
Bojana
0000-0002-9440-9346
B
Brajenović-Milić
Department of Psychology, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Rijeka, Braće Branchetta 20, 51000, Rijeka, Croatia.
Tamara Martinac
TM
Dorčić
D000328:Adult; D000649:Amniocentesis; D003657:Decision Making; D004314:Down Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics; D005220:Fathers / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005820:Genetic Testing; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D062145:Maternal Serum Screening Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
Down syndrome; Maternal serum screening; men’s attitude toward amniocentesis; men’s involvement in pregnancy; men’s knowledge