D. Viljoen et al., PATIENT ATTITUDES TO PRENATAL SCREENING AND TERMINATION OF PREGNANCY AT GROOTE-SCHUUR-HOSPITAL - A 2-YEAR PROSPECTIVE-STUDY, East African medical journal, 73(5), 1996, pp. 327-329
A prospective 2-year study involving a questionnaire administered by a
Genetic Counsellor was carried out to ascertain patient attitudes to
prenatal screening and termination of pregnancy (TOP) at Groote Schuur
Hospital. Women were questioned regarding their religious affiliation
, education, ethnic group, reason for referral and age. Following ultr
asonography, non-directive counselling was given regarding amniocentes
is and TOP. Four hundred and sixty six women were investigated of whom
74% were of mixed ancestry, 14% Black and 12% White. Three hundred an
d sixteen persons were offered amniocentesis (67.8%). Muslim women acc
epted less Frequently (66%) than other religious affiliations (79.7%)
(p=0.025). Overall amniocentesis acceptance was 75.9%. TOP was perform
ed in 45 pregnancies (9.7%). Muslim women accepted TOP 1.33 times (C.I
. 0.32-5.6) more Frequently than those of other religious persuasions.
Overall TOP acceptance rate was 76.3%. The mixed ethnic population of
pregnant women seen at Groote Schuur Hospital readily accept prenatal
screening and TOP following non-directive genetic counselling. The in
troduction of prenatal screening programmes for the prevention of seve
re congenital defects in this population would he successful and cost-
effective.