OBJECTIVE: Prior studies have shown that patients have poor understanding of prenatal screening tests. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the frequency with which patients have poor understanding of the sensitivity and safety of the second-trimester fetal sonogram and to identify maternal factors associated with poor understanding. METHOD: One hundred fifty-five women presenting for a routine fetal anatomy scan completed a survey that assessed their understanding of the diagnostic sensitivity and safety of ultrasound, their demographic characteristics, and the sources of information of their knowledge of ultrasound. The frequency of misperception with regard to sonographic sensitivity or safety was determined, and both univariable and multivariable analyses were performed to identify factors associated with misperception. RESULTS: Fifty-one percent of women had a misperception of the sensitivity or safety of a second-trimester sonogram. Although multiple characteristics (age, ethnicity, education, income, source of ultrasound information) were associated with this misperception in univariable analysis, only education and income remained independently associated with misperception in multivariable regression. CONCLUSION: Lower educational attainment and lower income are associated with misperception of the sensitivity and safety of a second-trimester sonogram.
OBJECTIVE: Prior studies have shown that patients have poor understanding of prenatal screening tests. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the frequency with which patients have poor understanding of the sensitivity and safety of the second-trimester fetal sonogram and to identify maternal factors associated with poor understanding. METHOD: One hundred fifty-five women presenting for a routine fetal anatomy scan completed a survey that assessed their understanding of the diagnostic sensitivity and safety of ultrasound, their demographic characteristics, and the sources of information of their knowledge of ultrasound. The frequency of misperception with regard to sonographic sensitivity or safety was determined, and both univariable and multivariable analyses were performed to identify factors associated with misperception. RESULTS: Fifty-one percent of women had a misperception of the sensitivity or safety of a second-trimester sonogram. Although multiple characteristics (age, ethnicity, education, income, source of ultrasound information) were associated with this misperception in univariable analysis, only education and income remained independently associated with misperception in multivariable regression. CONCLUSION: Lower educational attainment and lower income are associated with misperception of the sensitivity and safety of a second-trimester sonogram.