I. Varekamp et al., THE USE OF PREVENTIVE HEALTH-CARE SERVICES - CARRIER TESTING FOR THE GENETIC DISORDER HEMOPHILIA, Social science & medicine, 37(5), 1993, pp. 639-648
A retrospective study was performed to explore carrier testing among w
omen who were possible or obligate carriers of the haemophilia gene. K
nowledge of the possibility of carrier testing and use of carrier test
ing were studied separately. In our exploration we were guided by the
diffusion theory and the Health Belief Model. Logistic regression anal
ysis showed that four factors were statistically significant related t
o knowledge of carrier testing: information via mass media, a haemophi
lic relative in the nuclear family rather than in the extended family,
medical severity of haemophilia, and information from the patients' o
rganization. For those women acquainted with carrier testing two of th
e four factors just mentioned were significantly related to the utiliz
ation of carrier testing i.e. having a haemophilic relative in the nuc
lear family and the medical severity of the haemophilia. In addition t
he following factors were associated: attitude towards abortion becaus
e of haemophilia, educational level, and marital status. Notwithstandi
ng the prominent function of the mass media and the patients' organiza
tion, the respondents themselves stated that relatives, especially par
ents and sisters, were the most important source of information on gen
etic counselling and carrier testing.