Attitudes towards prenatal diagnosis and termination of pregnancy for thalassaemia in pregnant Pakistani women in the North of England

Abstract

Most births of children affected with beta-thalassaemia major in the United Kingdom are to parents of Pakistani origin. A popular explanation for this is that Pakistanis decline termination of pregnancy on religious grounds. However, various factors influence people's attitudes towards prenatal diagnosis and termination of pregnancy, which have not been investigated in a UK Pakistani sample. This study is aimed at exploring the attitudes of pregnant Pakistani women towards prenatal diagnosis and termination of pregnancy for beta-thalassaemia major in the North of England. Forty-three pregnant women tested for thalassaemia carrier status were interviewed following receipt of their test results. Interviews were analysed using the grounded theory approach. Findings showed: (1) women's awareness of and attitudes towards prenatal diagnosis; (2) the relationship between attitudes towards prenatal diagnosis and termination of an affected foetus; (3) the relationship between attitudes towards termination of pregnancy and religious beliefs, perceptions of severity of the condition, influence of significant others, and (4) the impact of gestational age at the time of the offer of termination of pregnancy. Pakistani women's attitudes towards prenatal diagnosis and termination of pregnancy are influenced by various factors, and therefore their religion should not be taken as a proxy for their attitudes either for or against termination of pregnancy.