Table 3.
Principal component analysis of knowledge and attitudes of community representatives
| Knowledge-related factors | Loadings |
|---|---|
| Component 1: disease prevention | |
| (Variance 33.17%, eigen 3.32) | |
| • Genetic testing can be used to determine future susceptibility to certain diseases | 0.826 |
| • Genetic testing can be used to also find genetic conditions and treat them | 0.721 |
| • Genetic testing can be used to prevent diseases such as diabetes, cancer | 0.705 |
| • Having a genetic test is valid and accurate | 0.585 |
| Component 2: lack of guidelines and regulations | |
| (Variance 15.11%, eigen 1.51) | |
| • There are few ethical guidelines for human genetic tests in South Africa and these guidelines protect us | 0.857 |
| • There are no laws in South Africa for the protection of personal genetic information | 0.802 |
| • Genetic testing is useful in helping to use the right medication for treatment | 0.667 |
| Component 3: availability and access to genetic testing | |
| (Variance 14.3%, eigen 1.41) | |
| • Genetic testing is being offered in South Africa | 0.835 |
| • I know where to have a genetic test done in KwaZulu-Natal | 0.816 |
| Component 4: prevention of communicable diseases | |
| (Variance 10.24%, eigen 1.02) | |
| • Genetic testing can be used to prevent HIV, AIDS, T.B | 0.929 |
| Attitude-related factors | Loadings |
| Component 1: willingness to use predictive genetic testing | |
| (Variance 26.98%, eigen 2.69) | |
| • I would like to learn more about genetic testing | 0.761 |
| • I would like to find out if I am at risk for any chronic disease | 0.733 |
| • I would like for my genetic data to be used in scientific research | 0.549 |
| • Genetic testing will not be too expensive to use | 0.529 |
| Component 2: confidence in the use of predictive genetic testing | |
| (Variance 15.84%, eigen 1.58) | |
| • I am not concerned about my genetic data being used for further studies without my consent | 0.766 |
| • I will not be worried about what my genetic test results will be like if I had to have a test done | 0.755 |
| Component 3: emotional and mental attitude | |
| (Variance 13.76%, eigen 1.37) | |
| • If my genetic test result is positive for a disease, it will not cause me to be stressed | 0.732 |
| • I will not be discriminated against if my genetic test results are positive | 0.667 |
| Component 4: importance of improving public knowledge of genetic testing | |
| (Variance 10.12%, eigen 1.01) | |
| • Genetic testing is n important topic for the community to know about | 0.897 |