Racial-Ethnic Differences In Genetic Amniocentesis Uptake

Authors:

Jennifer B. Saucier (1, 6)
Dennis Johnston (2)
Catherine A. Wicklund (3)
Patricia Robbins-Furman (4)
Jacqueline T. Hecht (5) and
Manju Monga (3)

Author Affiliations:

(1) Genzyme Genetics, Austin, Texas
(2) Department of Statistical Science, Baylor University, Waco, Texas
(3) Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences,
University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas
(4) Medical Genetics Laboratories, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston,
Texas
(5) Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Health Science Center at
Houston, Houston, Texas
(6) Genzyme Genetics, 313 Greenside Lane, Georgetown, Texas,

Journal of Genetic Counseling
Issue: Volume 14, Number 3
Date: June 2005
Pages: 189 - 195

Abstract:

The objective of this study was to determine the role of health beliefs in genetic amniocentesis acceptance in a diverse racial-ethnic population. Participants completed a previously-validated questionnaire consisting of three sections: (1) demographics, (2) amniocentesis knowledge, and (3) health beliefs, which assessed perceived susceptibility, seriousness of potential impact, benefits of testing, and barriers to testing. The results showed that Hispanic women were less likely to accept amniocentesis (51.5% vs. Caucasian 82.8%, African American 82.9%, Asian 82.8%). Education level was the only demographic factor higher among acceptors. Women who accepted amniocentesis had higher perceived seriousness, susceptibility, and benefits HBM scores and higher knowledge scores than women who declined. HBM scores and knowledge predicted the amniocentesis decision correctly 91.5% of the time. Individual health beliefs and knowledge play a greater role in genetic amniocentesis acceptance than do demographic factors such as race-ethnicity.

Contact:

Jennifer Saucier
Email: jennifer.saucier@genzyme.com

(C) Journal of Genetic Counseling

Posted by: Tressie Dalaya

Message posted by: Trevor M. D'Souza