Pregnant Women' Knowledge and Attitudes toward Cord Blood Stem Cell Banking and Donation at Gharbia Governorate, Egypt

Abstract

Background: In the light of the increase in incidence of immunity diseases, metabolic disorders and blood diseases, the need for cord blood stem cell as therapeutic option has become essential. Parents, especially mothers need to decide if they would like to store their infant’s cord blood and donate it. They need to be aware of options exists and information needed. Aim of the study was to assess pregnant women knowledge and attitudes toward cord blood stem cell banking and donation at Gharbia Governorate, Egypt. Setting: This study was conducted in Antenatal Clinics at the largest ten Central Hospitals and ten Rural Health Units in Gharbia Governorate, Egypt. Subjects: A convenient sample of one thousand (1000) pregnant women from the previous settings. Tools: Two tools were used: Tool I: Structured Interview Schedule: It included three parts: - Socio-demographic data of the pregnant women, obstetric history of the pregnant women and Pregnant Women's knowledge toward cord blood stem cells & its banking and donation. Tool II: Pregnant women’ attitudes toward donation and banking of cord blood stem cells. Results: the majority (78.5%) of the studied pregnant women had low level of knowledge regarding cord blood and stem cell & its banking and donation and nearly the half (49.5%) of them had negative attitudes, with statistically significant relationship between total knowledge and attitudes scores. Education and occupation of the pregnant women have a statistically significant correlation with total knowledge and attitudes scores. Conclusion and recommendations : the levels of pregnant women knowledge and attitudes regarding cord blood stem cell banking and donation were very low and need to be improved. Therefore, it is recommended to conduct health education programs and companies through health authorities and the media to increase awareness and support pregnant women's positive attitudes toward cord blood stem cell banking and donation to develop and expand the status of umbilical cord blood banking in Egypt.