Are there socio-economic inequalities in the uptake of Down syndrome screening in the UK?

In some countries, measurement of nuchal translucency (NT) is incorporated into national antenatal screening programmes to help detect pregnancies at increased risk of Down syndrome. Accurate measurement of the NT requires a specific technique. This article is an illustrated practical guide outlining the steps required for measuring the NT; it provides useful tips for improving operator technique and advises how to avoid common pitfalls. Although fetal nasal bone assessment does not currently form part of official Down syndrome screening programmes (in Australia or the UK), it is included here as debate about its usefulness continues.

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The influence of women's cognitive status on their understanding of Down syndrome screening

British Journal of Midwifery ◽

10.12968/bjom.2020.28.1.34 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 28 (1) ◽

pp. 34-41 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Sophie John ◽

Maggie Kirk ◽

Emma Tonkin ◽

Ian Stuart-Hamilton

Keyword(s):

Down Syndrome ◽

Mixed Methods ◽

Need For Cognition ◽

Cognitive Status ◽

Informed Decision ◽

Abstract Reasoning ◽

Mixed Methods Design ◽

Midwifery Education ◽

The Uk ◽

Down Syndrome Screening

Aim To establish whether women's cognitive status influenced their understanding of Down syndrome screening information, and to determine whether midwives offer the same oral explanation of Down syndrome screening to all women or if information was tailored to each woman based on their cognitive status. Methods Midwives (n=16) and women (n=100) were recruited from a regional NHS unit in the UK. A mixed-methods design encompassed two components; audio-recorded antenatal consultations and quantitative surveys to assess women's cognitive status and their understanding of Down syndrome screening information. Findings While women with abstract reasoning skills and high need for cognition (NfC) could understand information sufficiently, women with more concrete skills and low NfC require further explanation from the midwife to reach an informed decision. Conclusion Midwives did not tailor their communication based on women's cognitive status. This has implications for midwifery education programmes to train midwives to communicate Down syndrome screening information effectively.

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Quality of patient information leaflets for Down syndrome screening: A comparison between the UK and Thailand

Nursing and Health Sciences ◽

10.1111/nhs.12190 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 17 (3) ◽

pp. 313-322 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Parvinee Saiklang ◽

Heather Skirton

Keyword(s):

Down Syndrome ◽

Patient Information ◽

Patient Information Leaflets ◽

Information Leaflets ◽

The Uk ◽

Down Syndrome Screening

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Influence of midwife communication on women's understanding of Down syndrome screening information

British Journal of Midwifery ◽

10.12968/bjom.2019.27.12.768 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 27 (12) ◽

pp. 768-779 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Sophie John ◽

Maggie Kirk ◽

Emma Tonkin ◽

Ian Stuart-Hamilton

Keyword(s):

Down Syndrome ◽

Mixed Methods ◽

Thematic Analysis ◽

Prenatal Testing ◽

Mixed Methods Design ◽

Screening Practice ◽

Non Invasive ◽

Qualitative Thematic Analysis ◽

The Uk ◽

Down Syndrome Screening

Aim To analyse how midwives communicate Down syndrome screening information and explore whether women's understanding of this information is influenced by midwives' communicative style. Methods Midwives (n=16) and women (n=100) were recruited from a regional NHS unit in the UK. A mixed-methods design encompassed two components; audio-recorded antenatal consultations to assess midwives' communication and quantitative surveys to assess women's understanding. Findings Midwife communication was not significantly related to women's understanding of Down syndrome screening information. However, qualitative thematic analysis revealed midwife communication was often insufficient in fully describing Down syndrome and screening. Communication was not very interactive, midwives dominated conversations and did not sufficiently check women's knowledge/understanding. Conclusions Policymakers need to consider these findings. Deficits in midwife communication in relation to established screening practice needs to be addressed through additional training ahead of full implementation of non-invasive prenatal testing into midwifery practice.

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