Evaluation of the Implementation of Expanded Carrier Screening Before Pregnancy in Hong Kong

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The objectives are to: Assess patient's views and preferences in receiving expanded carrier screening Perform qualitative study on post testing counselling on screen positive individuals and at risk couples

Detailed Description
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This study is to recruit 50 couples for Expanded carrier screening at Prepregnancy Checkup Clinic at the Family Planning Association. Saliva swabs are collected from couples for Hereditary Disease DNA screening test by DrGene. Blood samples are taken by venipuncture of women for Fragile X carrier screening by Prenatal Diagnostic Laboratory, Tsan Yuk Hospital. A pre-test self-administered Questionnaire 1 will be administered to couples to assess their knowledge, views and preferences in receiving expanded carrier screening. This include collection of basic demographic information, answers to questions on basic principles of expanded carrier testing, reasons of having or declining the test, choice of having concurrent or sequential screening, factors affecting their choices, anxiety level of the patient is assessed by state-trait anxiety inventory. Their willingness to pay for the test is also assessed. The test results will be available to couples in 6 week's time. A post-test self-administered questionnaire 2 will be administered to couples on receiving the test results at the clinic. These include assessment of anxiety level, any decision regret, outcome of test and resulting action. The couples with a screen positive result will be referred to Queen Mary Hospital for a joint counselling by clinical geneticist and gynaecologist. This counselling/consultation shall be audiotaped or videotaped. The interviews will be transcribed verbatim. The data will be explored for themes and issues identified. Statistics Questionnaire survey data shall be entered into SPSS. Descriptive statistics will be used to compare responses and choices of participants.

Official Title
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Evaluation of the Implementation of Expanded Carrier Screening Before Pregnancy in Hong Kong

Conditions
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Genetic Testing

Intervention / Treatment
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* Genetic: DNA screening before Pregnancy


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Ethnic Chinese couples who attend prepregnancy clinic Age 18 or above Exclusion Criteria: Couples who cannot read or understand Chinese or English

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Intervention/Treatment |
| --- |
|Genetic: DNA screening before Pregnancy|Saliva/swab shall be collected from couple for Hereditary Disease DNA screening test. Blood sample shall be taken by venipuncture of women for Fragile X carrier screening A pre-test questionnaire will be conducted to assess subject's knowledge, views and preferences in receiving expanded carrier screening, choice of having concurrent or sequential screening, factors affecting their choices, anxiety level, and their willingness to pay for the test. A post-test self-administered questionnaire shall be filled in by the patient on receiving the test results. Couples who receive a screen positive result shall be subsequently referred to Queen Mary Hospital for joint counselling by clinical geneticist and gynaecologist. This consultation shall be audiotaped or videotaped.|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Patient acceptance and literacy of expanded carrier screening | Factors affecting the choice of expanded carrier screening in the prepregnancy and subfertility patients Identify counselling issues when expanded carrier screening is offered in the local setting | 6 weeks | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Patient acceptance and literacy of expanded carrier screening | cost, false positives, workload generated from offering expanded carrier screening | 6 months | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Expanded carrier screening