Informational needs of pregnant women following the prenatal diagnosis of fetal anomalies: A qualitative study in Iran
نویسندگان
1 Department of Midwifery, Nursing and Midwifery Care Research Center, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences
2 Department of Educational and Counseling Psychology, School of Educational Sciences and Psychology, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad
3 Department of Health Sciences, Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
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doi
چکیده
INTRODUCTION: An appropriate exchange of information between the health‑care provider andthe family is an important component of coping with stress following the prenatal diagnosis of fetalanomalies. Therefore, this study was conducted to explore the informational needs of pregnantwomen following a prenatal diagnosis of fetal anomalies in Mashhad, Iran.SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This qualitative, conventional, content analysis study was designedthrough two referral centers for fetal anomaly. The data were collected from April 2017 to January2018 in Mashhad (Iran) through individual semi‑structured in‑depth interviews, from 25 pregnantwomen with a prenatal diagnosis of fetal anomalies.RESULTS: Three categories and nine subcategories emerged. Category 1, information needed forclarifying the diagnosed anomaly and making a decision, containing four subcategories: The need toknow the reasons of doing more diagnostic tests; The need to know the facts regarding the anomalyand its cause; The need for more information to gain control over the situation; and The need to knowabout legal permission for therapeutic abortion. Category 2, Information needed for preparing to thefuture, containing three subcategories: Practical and economic issues; The delivery and postnatalsituation; and Future mortality and morbidity of especial anomaly. Category 3, the adequacy of theinformation provided, containing two subcategories: Information overload and Inadequate information.CONCLUSIONS: Pregnant women receiving a prenatal diagnosis of fetal anomaly have a varietyof information needs that are not adequately met by the health‑care providers. Further research isrequired for finding a means to meeting this information need.
