Knowledge and attitude of healthcare providers towards prenatal screening and diagnosis in a lower-middle income country

Abstract

Background: Prenatal screening and diagnosis ensures antenatal care is targeted at the foetus specific need(s).

Objective: This study assessed healthcare providers’ knowledge and attitude towards prenatal screening and diagnosis at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 350 healthcare providers (HCPs) in a tertiary hospital was carried out. Data was collected using a semi-structured  self-administered questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS version 23.0. Descriptive statistics such as mean and standard deviation were used to  summarize the quantitative variables.

Results: The mean age of the HCPs was 31.5±1.6 years. Nearly all (99.1%) were aware of prenatal screening and diagnosis while medical education  (58.6%) was the main source of information. About two third (68.0%) had the knowledge of at least one method of prenatal diagnosis while a little over  one-third (39.7%) were aware of the complication of the procedures. Ultrasound was the main method identified. All the HCPs strongly agreed that  prenatal screening and diagnosis should be offered to all pregnant women, and 91.4% of them indicated their willingness to undergo it.

Conclusion:  There is good knowledge, high level of awareness and positive attitude towards prenatal screening and diagnosis among the HCPs, in the University  College Hospital Ibadan. However, there was a poor awareness of the complications of the procedure. This indicates the need for training and re-training  of HCPs about prenatal screening and diagnosis counselling and procedure. Investment in equipment and information dissemination cannot be  overemphasized in a lower-middle income country like Nigeria.