Turkish Female Immigrants' Intentions to Participate in Preconception Carrier Screening for Hemoglobinopathies in the Netherlands: An Empirical Study

Background: Preconception carrier screening for hemoglobinopathies (HbPs) is debated in the Netherlands. Objectives: Intentions to participate in preconception carrier screening for HbPs as well as informed reproductive options were assessed in 109 Turkish female immigrants. Method: Participants completed a structured questionnaire. Results: 83.5% of 109 Turkish female immigrants intended to participate in preconception carrier screening. Intention to participate was related to the desire to reduce uncertainty about having offspring affected by HbPs, but not with socio-demographic variables, risk-estimation and worrying. If the tests concerning carrier status for HbPs were confirmative for both partners, 36.3% (n = 33) of the women with the intention of preconception carrier screening would refrain from getting children of their own, including 14.3% (n = 13) opting for adoption, 37.4% (n = 34) would decide to become pregnant and to opt for prenatal testing on HbPs. Finally, among 37.4% of the women opting for prenatal testing, 30.3% (n = 10) would terminate an affected pregnancy, 18.2% (n = 6) not and 51.5% (n = 17) could not decide (1 missing value). Conclusion: A large majority of Turkish female immigrants would participate in preconception carrier screening for HbPs. Copyright (C) 2010 S. Karger AG, BaselGenetics of disease, diagnosis and treatmen