PRENATAL CYSTIC-FIBROSIS CARRIER SCREENING - FACTORS IN A WOMANS DECISION TO DECLINE TESTING

Among 2207 women eligible to be screened for cystic fibrosis (CF) carr ier status during pregnancy, 325 (15 per cent) declined to be tested. Of these, 260 (80 per cent) answered a questionnaire soliciting their reasons for not participating. The main factor was opposition to termi nation of pregnancy, with 43 per cent being against termination for an y reason and another 11 per cent against termination of a CF fetus. Ot her reasons given were partner's disapproval or non-participation (10 per cent), perceived risk of a CF child being low (7 per cent), the er ror rate of the test (6 per cent), and the generation of unacceptable levels of anxiety (5 per cent). Eleven women (4 per cent) said that th ey did not wish to be tested during pregnancy, but only six of these w ould have accepted screening at another time.