Midwives’ Knowledge and Readiness to Practice Antenatal Screening and Genetic Testing in selected Hospitals in Lagos, Nigeria

Abstract

Background & aim: The case fatality rate for most severe abnormalities such as anencephaly, trisomy 13, trisomy 18 and severe heart defects are virtually 100% by the child’s first birthday. The burden of congenital malformation can be decreased through two major approaches- primary preventions among those at risk through antenatal screening and improving survival among those who are affected. This study was conducted to investigate the knowledge and readiness of midwives to practice antenatal screening and genetic testing for congenital abnormalities. Methods: A cross-sectional study among 245 midwives who were selected across five (5) maternal and child health government hospitals within Lagos metropolis using simple random sampling method. The validated self-administered questionnaire, with 0.74 reliability coefficient, was used to obtain information within a period of Five weeks, after obtaining ethical approval. The obtained information was analysed using SPSS version 22 and the result was presented on frequency-percentage tables and charts while the hypotheses were tested at p = 0.05 using chi-square test. Results: The study findings revealed that most of the midwives sampled (37.6%) were aged between 31 and 40years. Some (56.3%) of the respondents were Registered Nurses/Registered Midwives only. The highest category of year of experience was 6 to 10years with 32.7%. 62.9% of the midwives had inadequate knowledge of antenatal screening and genetic testing for congenital abnormalities. Nonetheless, up to, 82.4% were ready to practice antenatal screening and genetic testing for congenital abnormalities. The midwives’ level of knowledge was not significantly associated with their readiness to practice antenatal screening and genetic testing for congenital abnormalities (p=0.74), meanwhile, professional qualification (p = 0.003) and years of experience (p < 0.001) were significantly associated with readiness to practice antenatal screening and genetic testing. Conclusion: The study recommends that midwives should improve their knowledge and skills in genetic testing by attending both local and international training workshops/seminars. Government/employers of midwives should provide the screening devices to facilitate the practice of antenatal screening and genetic testing for congenital abnormalities during antenatal clinic.