Health behaviour modelling for prenatal diagnosis in Australia: a geodemographic framework for health service utilisation and policy development.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Despite the wide availability of prenatal screening and diagnosis, a number of studies have reported no decrease in the rate of babies born with Down syndrome. The objective of this study was to investigate the geodemographic characteristics of women who have prenatal diagnosis in Victoria, Australia, by applying a novel consumer behaviour modelling technique in the analysis of health data.

Methods

A descriptive analysis of data on all prenatal diagnostic tests, births (1998 and 2002) and births of babies with Down syndrome (1998 to 2002) was undertaken using a Geographic Information System and socioeconomic lifestyle segmentation classifications.

Results

Most metropolitan women in Victoria have average or above State average levels of uptake of prenatal di

SUBMITTER: Muggli EE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1574302 | biostudies-literature | 2006 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature