Amniocentesis use and risk awareness: Comparison of knowledge and beliefs among older Gravida

Abstract

A secondary analysis of public‐health survey data collected from 298 women, age 40 or older, delivering a live‐bom child in Michigan distinguished four respondent groups: those exposed to medical advice about amniocentesis and their decision about the procedure (Medically‐informed Tested vs. Medically‐informed Untested) and those unexposed to medical advice who reported being either aware or unaware of the procedure (Medically‐uninformed Aware vs. Medically‐uninformed Unaware). The two medically‐informed groups differed in their estimates of risk for Down syndrome (DS), risk of test injury to the fetus, and aversion to the risk of birth defects. A regression analysis determined that perceived risk for DS due to maternal age best distinguished between the two groups. The tested women differed from the other three groups on several sociodemographic variables. The discussion draws from the Health Belief Model to identify strategies for creating a risk awareness in the target population.