Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Rational choice theory was applied to explain women's use of amniocentesis. Variables included knowledge about prenatal diagnostics, attitudes, and emotional preferences. METHODS: Using structured instruments at 9 to 14 and at 29 to 34 weeks' gestation, we interviewed 232 Israeli women who had low-risk pregnancies. RESULTS: Women who had elective amniocentesis (n = 39) were more knowledgeable about prenatal diagnostics, risks of invasive procedures, and probability of fetal abnormality in high maternal age; had fewer children; and had less favorable attitudes toward parenthood than those who had medically indicated amniocentesis (n = 57) and those who did not have amniocentesis (n = 136). CONCLUSIONS: The use and possible overuse of amniocentesis were associated with having more information about prenatal diagnostics and definite emotional preferences.
Full Text
The Full Text of this article is available as a PDF (62.1 KB).
Selected References
These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.
- Davies B. L., Doran T. A. Factors in a woman's decision to undergo genetic amniocentesis for advanced maternal age. Nurs Res. 1982 Jan-Feb;31(1):56–59. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Decruyenaere M., Evers-Kiebooms G., Denayer L., Van den Berghe H. Cystic fibrosis: community knowledge and attitudes towards carrier screening and prenatal diagnosis. Clin Genet. 1992 Apr;41(4):189–196. doi: 10.1111/j.1399-0004.1992.tb03661.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- French B. N., Kurczynski T. W., Weaver M. T., Pituch M. J. Evaluation of the Health Belief Model and decision making regarding amniocentesis in women of advanced maternal age. Health Educ Q. 1992 Summer;19(2):177–186. doi: 10.1177/109019819201900203. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Hodgkinson K. A., Kerzin-Storrar L., Watters E. A., Harris R. Adult polycystic kidney disease: knowledge, experience, and attitudes to prenatal diagnosis. J Med Genet. 1990 Sep;27(9):552–558. doi: 10.1136/jmg.27.9.552. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Hyde B. An interview study of pregnant women's attitudes to ultrasound scanning. Soc Sci Med. 1986;22(5):587–592. doi: 10.1016/0277-9536(86)90026-2. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Kyle D., Cummins C., Evans S. Factors affecting the uptake of screening for neural tube defect. Br J Obstet Gynaecol. 1988 Jun;95(6):560–564. doi: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.1988.tb09483.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Marteau T. M., Johnston M., Plenicar M., Shaw R. W., Slack J. Development of a self-administered questionnaire to measure women's knowledge of prenatal screening and diagnostic tests. J Psychosom Res. 1988;32(4-5):403–408. doi: 10.1016/0022-3999(88)90023-2. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Marteau T. M., Kidd J., Cook R., Michie S., Johnston M., Slack J., Shaw R. W. Psychological effects of having amniocentesis: are these due to the procedure, the risk or the behaviour? J Psychosom Res. 1992 May;36(4):395–402. doi: 10.1016/0022-3999(92)90076-e. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Silvestre D., Fresco N. Reactions to prenatal diagnosis: an analysis of 87 interviews. Am J Orthopsychiatry. 1980 Oct;50(4):610–617. doi: 10.1111/j.1939-0025.1980.tb03323.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Sjögren B., Uddenberg N. Decision making during the prenatal diagnostic procedure. A questionnaire and interview study of 211 women participating in prenatal diagnosis. Prenat Diagn. 1988 May;8(4):263–273. doi: 10.1002/pd.1970080404. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Sjögren B., Uddenberg N. Prenatal diagnosis for psychological reasons: comparison with other indications, advanced maternal age and known genetic risk. Prenat Diagn. 1990 Feb;10(2):111–120. doi: 10.1002/pd.1970100207. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]