Assessment of knowledge, attitudes and practices towards newborn screening for congenital hypothyroidism before and after a health education intervention in pregnant women in a hospital setting in Pakistan

Abstract

This article addresses the important issue of acceptance of the congenital screening for congenital hypothyroidism (CH) by the population in general and the families in particular. While it is usually obvious for the health professional that screening for CH is beneficial to the potentially affected neonate, culture, level of education, superstition, poor communication by the authorities and sometimes cost associated with additional care of the neonate are only a few of the factors that play a key role in ensuring acceptance of a screening program.