Informed choice about Down syndrome screening - effect of an eHealth tool: a randomized controlled trial

Mette M Skjøth, Eva Draborg, Ronald F Lamont, Claus D Pedersen, Helle P Hansen, Claus T Ekstrøm, Jan S Jørgensen

4 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of an eHealth intervention (interactive website) on pregnant women's ability to make an informed choice about Down syndrome screening.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was designed as a randomized controlled trial with allocation to an intervention group and a control group in a ratio of 1:1. Subsequent subgroup analysis was conducted. Participants were recruited from 5 August 2013 to 25 April 2014 at Odense University Hospital, Denmark. Inclusion criteria were: pregnant women aged ≥18 years who were invited to participate in Down syndrome screening. Exclusion criteria were: high risk of abortion, psycho-socially vulnerable women, late referral, inability to speak Danish and women declining to participate. The primary outcome was informed choice about Down syndrome screening. The Multidimensional Measure of Informed Choice was used to assess whether the choice was informed or uninformed.

RESULTS: A total of 1150 participants were included in the study, of which 910 (79%) completed the questionnaire. Only a minority (30% of the women in the intervention group) actually used the website. There was no significant difference in the groups with respect to making an informed choice. The mean knowledge scores were significantly higher for those in the intervention group who used the intervention.

CONCLUSIONS: An interactive website with information about Down syndrome screening had no direct effect on making an informed choice. However, the majority of the pregnant women who used the website were satisfied with the website and would recommend it to others.

Original languageEnglish
JournalActa Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica
Volume94
Issue number12
Pages (from-to)1327-1336
Number of pages10
ISSN0001-6349
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Dec 2015

Keywords

  • Adult
  • Choice Behavior
  • Denmark
  • Down Syndrome
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Pregnancy
  • Prenatal Diagnosis
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Telemedicine
  • Journal Article
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

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