Measuring the level of knowledge for triple screen test and others during pregnancy

3SUMMARYMeasuring the Level of Knowledge for Triple Screen Test and Othersduring PregnancyEvery pregnant hope to pass their pregnancy without any difficulties, andeventually want to have a healthy baby. In order to find and treat the possible risk atthe baby?s health, it is important to have some test regularly during women?spregnancy. Having these screening tests before delivery allows us to evaluatesystematically both the mother?s and baby?s health. In this case, double and triplescreen test, and others estimate what a person?s chances are of having anabnormality. Therefore, all pregnant women should be well-informed about thisissue.The aim of this study was to measure the level of knowledge of all pregnantat Medicine Faculty of Afyon Kocatepe University regarding Triple Screen Test aswell as other related tests. In December 2006 and April 2007, women who havesingle pregnancy with >35 gestational weeks in Ahmet Necdet Sezer Hospital wereinterviewed. 250 women who accepted to participate were recruited in this study.The questionnaire which consists of 41 questions was used, asking in detail aboutsocio-demographic properties, current gestational week, which institutions thatfollow their pregnancy, knowledge of the test during pregnancy, which tests thatwomen already have, and their opinion about these tests. Data were analyzed bySPSS statistical package as appropriate. Concerning the data, mean values, standarddeviation, minimum and maximum values, Pearson chi-square (X2) test, Student t-Test, and percentage ratios were used in some analyses. Statistical significance isquoted at the p<0.05 level.According to the results of this study, the mean value of women?s age was25.35 ± 5.31 (min=16, max=42). 55.2% of women are primipar, 40.8% have a loweducational level (primary school), and 78.8% are unemployed. 89.2% of women areat 38-41 gestational weeks. Women who first go to the doctor at 1-6 weeks have ahigh educational level (university) with 78.6%, and 47.1% of women apply a4policlinic in order to make some analysis about their pregnancy. 78.6% of womenwith poor educational level (no school) don?t know the time of the screening teststhat should be done, while 78.6% of women with high educational level (university)know when to apply according to gestational weeks.It is found that 37.2% of women reported that they have already doublescreen test, while 42.8% triple screen test, 44% blood count, 45.6% urine test, and32.4% urine culture test. But, 35.2% and 40.4% of women don?t know double screentest and triple screen test, respectively.38.8% of women reported that they had some test but, they didn?t know whatit is. 21.6 % of women don?t know their blood type .71.2% stated that blood pressureshould be measured during pregnancy. 51.2% said that diabetes test should be alsoapplied.One of most important event in the nature of a woman is pregnancy, which isunforgettable and difficult stage during her life, and taking care during pregnancy is,therefore, a very important subject. In order to make this subject, some test should beperformed. These test are recommended for pregnant to control both their and baby?shealth. Other tests are for mothers with a possible risk of carrying a baby with somedisorders. These tests should be performed with and without the risks. Therefore, wethought that the level of knowledge of women regarding screening test should bedetermined, and the lack of information about delivery should be satisfied.Keywords: pregnancy, triple test, antenatal care, pregnancy screen tests.