Current attitudes and preconception towards expanded carrier screening
in Eastern Chinese reproductive population
Abstract
Objective To explore the Chinese reproductive-aged individual’s
awareness, wishes, and possible misconceptions of ECS as well as factors
affecting their decision-making. Design Anonymous, electronic
questionnaire conducted in 5 months. Setting Women’s Hospital of Nanjing
Medical University, Jiangsu, China. Population Chinese reproductive-aged
individuals with a partner (aged 18-45 years). Methods Chi-square test
and multivariate logistic regression to check the potential association
between factors with intention of ECS. Main outcome measures Willingness
to take ECS testing at own expenses. Results Only 35.0% were aware of
ECS, while 93.1% of participants had the intention of ECS at their
expenses, and 96.5% of participants had misconceptions of ECS and
genetic diseases. Meanwhile, 53.6% would pay less than 1,000 CNY
(approximately 145 US Dollars) for the test. Participants whose first
reaction was of interests, who had prior awareness of the test, or who
perceived the benefits were more likely to intend to use ECS
(p<0.001). Participants with bachelor’s or above degrees or
with the household income more than 150,000 CNY (approximately 21,700 US
Dollars) were more likely to pay 1,000 CNY and greater
(p<0.05). Conclusions The Chinese reproductive population had
an overall positive attitude towards ECS, with some misconceptions on
ECS and genetic disorders. Thus, population-based implementation of ECS
is clinically feasible in China, but pre- and post-test education and
genetic counselling are required to raise their awareness and to reduce
misconceptions. Keywords expanded carrier screening, attitudes,
preconception, misconceptions, questionnaire.