Address of Corresponding Author

Community Genet 2005;8:88-93 (DOI: 10.1159/000084776)

  Key Words

• Attitudes
• Genetic disorders
• Muslims
• Pregnancy termination
• Risk

  Abstract

Objectives: (1) To examine attitudes towards termination of pregnancy (TOP) among high-risk and non-high-risk (for cystic fibrosis) Arab-Muslims, and (2) to examine the effect of an intervention, which among other things related explicitly to TOP. Methods: The study comprised three groups: (1) an intervention group at high risk for CF, which received community genetic counseling; (2) a control group at high risk for CF, and (3) a control group from the general population. The latter two groups were exposed to minimal intervention. Attitudes were measured two or three times during a 1-year period (for the control and intervention groups, respectively). Results: Predictors of an affected fetus being considered a legitimate cause for TOP were religiosity, familiarity with an affected child, and benefits of the test. Predictors of individuals (hypothetically) choosing abortion in the case of an affected fetus were education and age. No change occurred in the attitudes of participants (either experimental or control groups) in the course of 1 year. Conclusions: Other possible intervention options are discussed, and specifically, the advantages of using opinion leaders such as clergy and medical staff.

Copyright © 2005 S. Karger AG, Basel

  Author Contacts

Efrat Neter, PhD
Department of Behavioral Sciences
Ruppin Academic Center
IL-40250 Emeq Hefer (Israel)
Tel. +972 4 8262678, 9 8981352, Fax +972 9 8987604, E-Mail neter@ruppin.ac.il

  Article Information

Number of Print Pages : 6
Number of Figures : 0, Number of Tables : 4, Number of References : 14