Australian community responses to the use of genetic testing for personalised health promotion

Figures & data

Figure 1 Three theoretical models of the process by which trust, risks, and benefits influence behavioural intentions.

Figure 2 Final expert trust model showing indirect influences of general benefits, risks and medical trust, and direct influence of expert trust, on intentions (N = 800, χ²/df = 2.9, GFI = 0.94, AGFI = 0.92, all pathways p < .001).

Table 1 Frequencies of Australians' subjective reasons for intending or not intending to have their genes tested for health promotion purposes

Theme	Frequency (%)	‘Example quote’
	n = 439 Intenders
Wellness	321(73.1%)	‘I'll do anything to maintain my good health.’
Cost	36(8.2%)	‘I would want the test at any price.’
Mistrust/trust	19(4.3%)	‘I trust the medical system.’
Benson's reputation	19(4.3%)	‘I think Benson has a good track record.’
Not for me	17(3.9%)	‘Maybe not for me, but I'd have my children tested.’
Curiosity	9(2.1%)	‘I'd like to know more about my own genes.’
Public heath system	6(1.4%)	‘I'd have the test if it was a public health service.’
Private health system	5(1.1%)	‘I would only have the test done in a private clinic.’
	n = 322 Non‐intenders
Not for me	116(36.0%)	‘It's too late for me—I'm already ill’
Wellness	68(21.1%)	‘If my family insists—I owe it to them to stay healthy’
Mistrust/trust	62(19.2%)	‘I don't trust new technology’
Morality	31(9.6%)	‘My health is in God's hands’
Fear	15(4.7%)	‘I would be afraid to know about my genes’
Cost	12(3.7%)	‘I probably couldn't afford it’
Family history	10(3.1%)	‘I wouldn't be tested unless there was an inherited risk’
Private health system	5(1.5%)	‘I don't have private health insurance’