Table 5.
Principal component analysis of knowledge and attitudes of medical students
| Knowledge-related factors | Loadings |
|---|---|
| Component 1: awareness of the use of genetic testing | |
| (Variance 27.32%, eigen 3.27) | |
| • Predictive genetic testing is being offered to individual in South Africa | 0.804 |
| • Performing genetic tests should be associated with genetic counselling | 0.650 |
| • Predictive genetic tests are valid and reliable as long as a specific genetic characteristic is identified accurately in the laboratory | 0.575 |
| • Predictive genetic tests increase prevention opportunities for chronic diseases | 0.566 |
| Component 2 understanding of need for legislative framework | |
| (Variance 13.10%, eigen 1.57) | |
| • There are ethical guidelines in South Africa which govern the use of predictive genetic testing among patients | 0.824 |
| • The clinical use of a predictive genetic test is to ultimately improve the health status of the patient | 0.760 |
| • There are laws in place in South Africa which protects the patient’s personal genetic information | 0.549 |
| Component 3: benefits of genetic testing | |
| (Variance 11.61%, eigen 1.39) | |
| • Exposure to various factors such as socioeconomic status, lifestyle and environment can influence a patients’ risk of disease due to their genetic disposition | 0.824 |
| • Predictive genetic testing can contribute positively towards health promotion and disease prevention which can assist in the launch of NHI | 0.693 |
| Component 4: correct use of genetic testing | |
| (Variance 8.84%, eigen 1.06) | |
| • Genetic counsellors are needed for patients to consult with once they have their genetic test results | 0.853 |
| • Genetic testing can be used to identify a patients’ susceptibility towards a genetic disorder and a non-communicable disease | 0.483 |
| Attitude-related factors | Loadings |
| Component 1: uptake and use of genetic testing | |
| (Variance 39.14%, eigen 1.95) | |
| • The curriculum should be extended to capacitate the medical students regarding predictive genetic testing | 0.728 |
| • Predictive genetic tests should only be introduced to clinical and public health practice only if it is proven to be cost effective in South Africa | 0.719 |
| • I will use predictive genetic testing in diagnosis and treatment of patients when I qualify as a medical practitioner | 0.661 |
| Component 2: need for training on genetic testing | |
| (Variance 24.25%, eigen 1.21) | |
| • Guidelines from the department of health is needed for the appropriate use of the predictive genetic testing | 0.838 |
| • Medical and health students require practical training on predictive genetic testing/genomic medicine | 0.738 |