Author(s)

Lutfi Jaber, Gabrielle J. Halpern, Samer Samara

.

The authors investigated: 1) How many of 250 Israeli Arab mothers (50% in consanguineous marriages) of babies with severe congenital anomalies had undergone prenatal testing during pregnancy, and how many had refused termination of pregnancy (TOP) when recommended; 2) Why TOP had been refused; 3) Attitudes regarding prenatal testing and TOP in future pregnancies; and 4) Whether the women would have changed their decision had they been able to talk to a Moslem cleric or Moslem doctor in addition to the regular personnel. Eighty seven (35%) refused to even consider TOP, 55 (22%) agreed to undergo TOP, and 87 (35%) agreed provided the procedure would be performed before 120 days gestation. The remainder were undecided. Of 195 women, the addition of a Moslem religious cleric or physician to the Committee would influence 89 (46%) and 55 (28%), respectively, to change their opinion and agree to TOP, and 26 (13%) and 10 (5%), respectively, to change their opinion and agree to TOP prior to 120 days of gestation. The remainder either continued to refuse TOP or were undecided.

Israeli Arab, Congenital Defects, Prenatal Testing, Termination of Pregnancy, Attitudes, Moslem Cleric

Jaber, L. , Halpern, G. and Samara, S. (2011) Prenatal testing and termination of future pregnancies in Arab mothers of children with severe defects: impact of Moslem cleric or physician on the decision making. Open Journal of Genetics, 1, 54-59. doi: 10.4236/ojgen.2011.13010.