THE ATTITUDES OF MIDWIVES TO MATERNAL SERUM SCREENING FROM DOWNS-SYNDROME

An anonymous questionnaire was sent to determine the opinions and atti tudes of 342 Leicestershire midwives who are responsible for counselli ng antenatal patients about maternal serum screening for Down's syndro me. This asked questions regarding grade, background training, attitud es towards testing for spina bifida and Down's syndrome, and opinions upon termination of pregnancy for these and other conditions. A total of 188 (55%) midwives completed the questionnaire. In all, 40.4% of mi dwives admitted that they did not feel confident counselling for the s erum screening test for Down's syndrome; 38.3% of midwives did not fee l termination of pregnancy for Down's syndrome was justified; 25% of m idwives admitted that they were not in favour of this prenatal test. I n conclusion, if such a screening programme is to be introduced across the UK, more attention must be paid in advance to the views and train ing requirements of those midwives who will be associated with the tes t. It should not be assumed that ethical considerations, relating to a prenatal test, are of minor significance to those health care profess ionals involved in its implementation.