Research themes and projects at the Centre for Womens Health, Gender and Society
Project title
Psychological implications of informed decisions in prenatal genetic screening
Major research themes
Other themes
Investigators
- Dr Heather Rowe, CWHGS, School of Population Health, The University of Melbourne
- A/Prof Jane Fisher, CWHGS, School of Population Health, The University of Melbourne
- Prof Julie Quinlivan, Faculty of Medicine, Notre Dame University
- Ms Angela Steele, Young Women's Health Program, The Royal Women’s Hospital
Funding
- Faculty of Medicine Dentistry and Health Sciences, $9,200
Summary
Screening for Down Syndrome (DS) and other fœtal chromosomal abnormalities is possible via several tests which are non-invasive, pose no threat to the pregnancy and are potentially available to pregnant women of all ages. Results of screening tests are presented as risk of the fœtal abnormality, on the basis of which decisions about undergoing chorion villus sampling (CVS) or amniocentesis are made. These are invasive diagnostic tests, carrying a risk of miscarriage. Second trimester maternal serum screening (2MSS) for DS is offered to women of all ages as part of routine antenatal care in many parts of Australia. There is evidence that Australian women and health professionals are poorly informed about both screening and test performance. This has implications for women’s informed choice to participate in screening. In Victoria, there has been a decline in the number of diagnostic tests being done for advanced maternal age (because of the age-associated risk of DS), and an increase in those carried out because of an “increased risk” result from a screening test. Consequently an increased number of younger women are undergoing diagnostic tests. Research has paid most attention to the provision of information, and little attention to other salient factors such as the decision maker’s values, the impact that educational status or emotional state may have on comprehension, or the impact of prenatal screening on developing maternal- fœtal emotional attachment. The aims of the project are to investigate the:
• Extent of informed choice to participate in 2MSS in an Australian tertiary hospital;
• Relationship between informed choice and maternal fœtal emotional attachment; and
• Relationship between informed decisions and maternal emotional wellbeing.
A similar study has been conducted with women attending clinics for young mothers. Data analysis is underway.
Publications
Rowe HJ, Fisher JRW, Quinlivan JA. Women who are well informed about prenatal genetic screening delay emotional attachment to their fetus. J Psychomatic Obs & Gynae. 2008. In Press.
Rowe HJ, Fisher JRW, Quinlivan JA. Are pregnant Australian women well informed about prenatal genetic screening? A systematic investigation using the Multidimensional Measure of Informed Choice. Aust & NZ J of Obs & Gynae. 2006;46:433-439.