KNOWLEDGE LEVELS, ATTITUDES, AND BEHAVIORS OF PREGNANTS ABOUT PRENATAL SCREENING TESTS: A SECTIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Aim: To determine the knowledge levels, attitudes, and behaviors of pregnant women who come to the obstetrics clinic in a university hospital about prenatal screening tests. Method: It is a descriptive cross-sectional study. The population consists of approximately 900 pregnant women who are 28 weeks and beyond, who applied to …….. University Faculty of Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology outpatient clinic between October-December 2021. The research questionnaire was applied face to face to those who agreed to participate in the study. The data form consisting of 21 questions included questions about the descriptive characteristics and obstetric histories of pregnant women. Results: 254 people participated. The mean gestational week of the participants was 34.9±3.9 (min:28-max:41). The most common screening tests were detailed ultrasound (80.7%) and double screening tests. Those who received information from their obstetrician had a significantly higher rate of having the test. When the participants' knowledge scores about prenatal screening tests are evaluated, respectively; Detailed ultrasound knowledge score was 5.6±0.9, Double test 5.0±1.3, Oral Glucose Tolerance Test 4.8±1.1, and Triple test 4.7±1.2(min:2-max:7). When the reasons for not having prenatal screening tests were questioned, the most common answer for all screening tests was "I don't think the test is necessary". For the OGTT, the second most common reason for not having it done was because they heard from the media that the test was harmful. The fact that the pregnant women had a double and triple screening, went to regular controls and had a high double-triple test knowledge score had a significant effect. Amniocentesis was recommended for 3.5% of the pregnant women based on prenatal test results, but none of them had amniocentesis. In case of unfavorable prenatal test results, the majority of pregnant women were considering continuing the pregnancy. Conclusion: In this study, we found that the rate of testing increased with the increasing knowledge level of pregnant women and physician counseling. In this context, health professionals should provide women with the necessary education about screening and diagnostic tests to enable them to make informed decisions.