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01-10-2011 | Original Research

Acceptability of Prenatal Diagnosis by a Sample of Parents of Sickle Cell Anemia Patients in Cameroon (Sub-Saharan Africa)

Authors: Ambroise Wonkam, Alfred K. Njamnshi, Dora Mbanya, Jeanne Ngogang, Caryl Zameyo, Fru F. Angwafo III

Published in: Journal of Genetic Counseling | Issue 5/2011

Abstract

Little is known about attitudes of parents of Sickle Cell Anemia patients in sub-Saharan Africa regarding prenatal genetic diagnosis and termination of an affected pregnancy. In this study, structured face-to-face interviews were conducted with a sample of 130 parents in Cameroon that had at least one living child with Sickle Cell Anemia. The majority of participants lived in urban areas (89%), were female (80%), Christian (93%), married (60.2%) in monogamous households (81.1%), were employed (61.7%), and had at least a secondary or tertiary education (82%). The majority of parents accepted the principle of prenatal genetic diagnosis for Sickle Cell Anemia (89.8%) and termination of pregnancy (62.5%). Acceptance of the principle of pregnancy termination increased with unemployment (p < .01) and single marital status (p < .05). The results of this study suggest Cameroonian parents with children affected with Sickle Cell Anemia generally accept the principles of prenatal diagnosis and in some cases termination of a pregnancy affected with Sickle Cell Anemia. Additional findings, policy and practice implications, and research recommendations are presented.

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Title: Acceptability of Prenatal Diagnosis by a Sample of Parents of Sickle Cell Anemia Patients in Cameroon (Sub-Saharan Africa)
Authors: Ambroise Wonkam
Alfred K. Njamnshi
Dora Mbanya
Jeanne Ngogang
Caryl Zameyo
Fru F. Angwafo III
Publication date: 01-10-2011
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Journal of Genetic Counseling / Issue 5/2011
Print ISSN: 1059-7700
Electronic ISSN: 1573-3599
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10897-011-9372-y

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