"He didn't say that thalassaemia might come up" - β-thalassaemia carriers' experiences and attitudes.

ABSTRACT: Tests for haemoglobinopathy carrier status are the commonest genetic screening tests undertaken internationally. Carrier screening for β-thalassaemia is not coordinated in Victoria, Australia, and is instead incorporated into routine practice where most women are screened antenatally, through a full blood examination (FBE). Little is known about how women are screened for β-thalassaemia in Australia as well as their attitudes towards the screening process. This study was conducted to explore carriers' and carrier couples' experiences of and attitudes towards β-thalassaemia screening in Australia. Semi-structured interviews with 26 recently pregnant female carriers and ten carrier couples of β-thalassaemia were carried out. Interviews were analysed using inductive content analysis. Unexpect

SUBMITTER: Cousens NE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3666831 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature