Table 4.
Principal component analysis of knowledge and attitudes of medical practitioners
| Knowledge-related factors | Loadings |
|---|---|
| Component 1: genetic testing can improve health and disease outcomes | |
| (Variance 36.44%, eigen 4.00) | |
| • Genetic testing can be used to identify a patient’s susceptibility towards a genetic disorder and NCD | 0.858 |
| • Performing genetics should be associated with genetic testing | 0.869 |
| • Predictive genetic tests increase prevention opportunities for chronic diseases | 0.682 |
| • The clinical use of a predictive genetic test is to improve the health status of the patient | 0.671 |
| • Exposures to various factors such as socioeconomic status, lifestyle and environment can influence a patient’s risk of disease due to their predisposition | 0.619 |
| Component 2: perceived challenges associated with using genetic testing | |
| (Variance 19.18%, eigen 2.11) | |
| • Genetic counsellors are needed for patients to consult with once they have their genetic test results | 0.871 |
| • Guidelines form DOH is needed for the appropriate use of predictive genetic testing | 0.651 |
| Component 3: lack of legislation for genetic testing in SA | |
| (Variance 10.77%, eigen 1.18) | |
| • Predictive genetic testing is being offered to individuals in S.A | 0.798 |
| • There are not many ethical guidelines in South Africa which govern the use of predictive genetic testing among patients | 0.787 |
| • There are not many laws in place in S.A. which protects the patient’s personal genetic information | 0.716 |
| Attitude-related factors | Loadings |
| Component 1: use in clinical practice | |
| (Variance 34.01%, eigen 1.36) | |
| • I have started using predictive genetic testing for diagnosis and treatment of patients | 0.832 |
| • Predictive genetic tests should only be introduced to clinical and public health practice only if it is proven to be cost-effective in S.A | 0.765 |
| Component 2: need for training for predictive genetic testing | |
| (Variance 30.19%, eigen 1.21) | |
| • I will use predictive genetic testing in diagnosis and treatment of patients, if trained appropriately | 0.793 |
| • Medical and health practitioners require training on predictive genetic testing/genomic medicine | 0.749 |