Multisite assessment of the impact of a prenatal testing educational App on patient knowledge and preparedness for prenatal testing decision making

Effectiveness of Video Assisted Teaching Programme on Level of Knowledge and Attitude Regarding Prenatal Genetic Testing among Antenatal Mother

Background

Prenatal genetic testing is done throughout pregnancy to identify or diagnose birth defects. These tests aim to help families make educated decisions regarding pregnancy and reproduction, as well as aid healthcare providers in providing optimal care for pregnant women. Prenatal blood screening is performed twice during pregnancy.

Aim

The present study aims to assess the Effectiveness of video assisted teaching programme on level of knowledge and attitude regarding prenatal genetic testing among antenatal mother.

Materials and Methods

A Quasi experimental, one group pre and post experimental research design was used for this study. The study conducted in SMCH. A total of 60 study participants were recruited by using a non probability convenient sample technique, based on inclusion criteria.

Results

The analysis revealed that most of the antenatal mothers, 24 (40%) were aged between 21 and 25 years, 33 (55%) had higher secondary education, 34 (56.6%) were private employees, 43 (71.6%) were Hindus, 46 (76.7%) were residing in urban area, 40 (66.6%) had an income of between INR 10,000 and 20,000, and 48 (80%) and 3 (30%) had friends/relatives and health care professionals as source of information.

Conclusion

The study found that video education on genetic testing improved patients' and increased quality of life.

Effects of an animated educational video on knowledge of cell-free DNA screening among Thai pregnant women: a randomized control trial

BACKGROUND

In developing countries, pregnant women have insufficient knowledge about cell-free DNA screening. Reports from developed countries have found that various tools in prenatal genetic counseling can improve the knowledge of pregnant women who undergo cell-free DNA screening. Data are limited from developing countries where women have different baseline socio-educational backgrounds. The objective of this study was to compare the effects of an animated educational video combined with traditional counseling versus traditional counseling alone in changing pregnant women's knowledge of cell-free DNA screening.

METHODS

This study was a randomized control trial at an antenatal clinic. Eligible subjects who were Thai pregnant women, were randomized to either view or not view the 4-minute animated educational video explaining cell-free DNA screening. Both groups received traditional counseling. The women were asked to complete a Thai questionnaire assessing knowledge of the screening before and after intervention. The questionnaire consisted of three sections: demographic data of the research participants and their existing awareness about cell-free DNA testing; performance and limitations of cell-free DNA screening; and participants' attitudes toward the positive screening. Primary outcome was the change in knowledge scores. Secondary outcomes were attitudes toward positive screening test, levels of satisfaction with counseling, and screening acceptance rates.

RESULTS

Data from 83 women in the video group and 82 in the non-video group were analyzed. The knowledge score (range 0-18) change after counseling was significantly higher in the video group than the non-video group (+ 7.1 ± 3.3 vs + 4.2 ± 2.5; p = 0.03). There were no significant differences in attitudes toward positive screening test (p = 0.83), levels of satisfaction (p = 0.24), or screening acceptance rates (p = 0.15) between the groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Adding the video to traditional counseling was better than traditional counseling alone in improving pregnant women's knowledge about cell-free DNA screening.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

The study was retrospectively registered with the Thai Clinical Trials Registry (TCTR20210917001, 17/09/2021).

Change in client choice under multiple prenatal genetic testing options including noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT) after genetic counseling in a Japanese maternity hospital

OBJECTIVE

This study examined how clients' selection and preference for noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT) for aneuploidy changed with genetic counseling (GC) performed by certified geneticists at a primary hospital specializing in obstetrics, where other multiple prenatal genetic tests options were available.

METHODS

A total of 334 couples who underwent GC between 2017 and 2019 were included in the study. The average age of the pregnant women who underwent GC was 35.1 years.

RESULTS

Among the 95 couples (28.4%) who wanted NIPT at the start of GC, 10 (10.5%) switched to other tests, and 4 (4.2%) chose not to undergo any test. Among the 106 (31.7%) couples who wanted the combination of ultrasonography and the serum marker test, 12 (11.3%) chose not to undergo the test. Among the 92 (27.5%) couples who were undecided before GC, 21 (22.8%) wanted NIPT, 31 (33.7%) selected combined tests, and 18 (19.6%) did not undergo any test.

CONCLUSION

We have demonstrated the significance of GC before prenatal genetic testing under widespread use of NIPT. Ideally, obstetric facilities should provide GC, or at least, pre-counseling at their own facilities, and offer multiple prenatal genetic testing options or refer to other facilities for the same.

Health professionals and scientists' views on genome-wide NIPT in the French public health system: Critical analysis of the ethical issues raised by prenatal genomics

In France, since January 2020, laboratories have started to make available genome-wide Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (GW-NIPT) beyond the three common trisomies (T21, T13 and T18) at the same cost as standard NIPT. With the possible margins for interpretation of the legal framework and in the absence of clear and updated guidelines, health professionals are left with questions about which type of screening offer may be clinically responsible, morally appropriate, and, at the same time, respectful of women’s values and ability to make autonomous choices. The aim of this study is to provide an analysis and understanding of the challenging dimensions of clinical practices in the context of evolving scientific knowledge and techniques in prenatal genomics. In this article, we develop a critical analysis of the arguments and concerns that emerge around the offer of expanded NIPT and are discussed by health professionals and scientists. To achieve this, we conducted qualitative semi-structured interviews with 17 health professionals and scientists from September 2021 to February 2022 and a comprehensive literature review (regulatory, scientific, medical, institutional sources). The results of our empirical research highlight the importance of addressing ethical issues related to the differing quality of counselling, the complexity of achieving informed consent, and the avoidance of harm to pregnant women in the feedback of findings beyond T21, T18 and T13. If there is an increase in the provision of GW-NIPT within the French public health system, it will be essential to promote medical practices that respect reproductive choices of women, support their autonomous decision and their understanding of the limitations and uncertainties associated with GW screening. Further research is required to provide an insight into women’s perceptions in order to refine our analysis from the patients’ perspective.