ATTITUDES TO PRENATAL DIAGNOSIS AND TERMINATION OF PREGNANCY FOR 30 CONDITIONS AMONG WOMEN IN SAUDI ARABIA AND THE UK

Authors: Ayman Alsulaiman1, Jenny Hewison2, Khaled K. Abu-Amero3*, Shenaz Ahmed2, Josephine M. Green4 and Janet Hirst

ABSTRACT
Objective The aim of this research was to compare attitudes between women from different cultural and/or religious
backgrounds toward prenatal diagnosis (PND) and termination of pregnancy (TOP) for 30 different conditions.
Methods A questionnaire examining parents’ attitudes toward PND and TOP for 30 different conditions was
completed by 100 Saudi, 222 UK-White, and 198 UK-Pakistani women. Comparison of overall attitudes with PND and TOP between groups was carried out, and a total score reflecting attitudes was obtained. Results In general, there were positive attitudes toward PND among the three groups surveyed. The attitudes of Saudi and UK-Pakistani women toward PND were more favorable than UK-White women. Overall, acceptance of TOP was lower than for PND. For the majority of conditions, acceptance of TOP was highest in Saudi women and lowest in
UK-Pakistani women.

Conclusion Attitudes toward TOP were significantly different between the three groups and may be influenced by
cultural and/or religious factors. Availability of social services, genetic counseling, and rehabilitation centers may also influence attitude toward PND and TOP. © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd