Date of Award
5-2022
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Master of Medicine (MMed)
First Supervisor/Advisor
Sikolia wanyonyi
Second Supervisor/Advisor
Marleen Temmerman
Department
Obstetrics and Gynaecology (East Africa)
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Aneuploidies present with an abnormal copy number of chromosomes. Majority are lethal with only a handful carrying on to term and beyond in pregnancy. Its currently recommended that all pregnant women be offered screening for aneuploidies. This is to facilitate pregnant women make informed choices regarding their pregnancies. At present the current uptake rate of aneuploidy screening in Kenya is unknown. The purpose of this study this study was to determine whether pregnant women are aware of aneuploidy screening, the uptake rate of screening and the determinants of screening at a tertiary private healthcare facility in Nairobi, Kenya.
METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted between August to December 2021 that involved 325 pregnant women attending their antenatal clinics at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya. A self administered questionnaire was used to collect data on demographics, pregnancy follow up information, knowledge and attitude towards aneuploidy screening and uptake of screening.
RESULTS: Three hundred and twenty-five (325) pregnant women were enrolled over a period of 6 months. Of the 325 only 186 were aware of aneuploidy screening. Uptake rate of aneuploidy screening was found to be at 39.2% (95%CI: 32.2% - 46.7%) and the only statistically significant factor associated with increased uptake of aneuploidy screening was a positive attitude towards screening (AOR: 4.36; 95%CI: 1.95-10.81, p=0.001.
CONCLUSION: The level of awareness of aneuploidy screening among pregnant women is low. Of those aware of the screening methods, less than half of them underwent screening and the concept of informed choice was lacking in a majority. Increased uptake rate of screening was associated with having a positive attitude towards aneuploidy screening
Recommended Citation
Ndegwa, D. (2022). Determinants of the uptake of prenatal aneuploidy screening among pregnant women at The Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya (Unpublished master's dissertation). Aga Khan University, East Africa.