Genetic literacy assessment among medical students using the Indonesian adaptation of the University of North Carolina Genomic Knowledge Scale.

BACKGROUND

Implementation of personalized medicine requires greater genetic literacy among current and future healthcare workers. A standardized Indonesian-language genetic literacy questionnaire is essential for assessment.

OBJECTIVE

To translate the University of North Carolina Genomic Knowledge Scale (UNC-GKS) genetic literacy questionnaire into Indonesian language, assess its qualitative content validity and internal consistency, and utilized it to measure genetic literacy among Indonesian medical students.

METHODS

Following expert panel review and back-translation for translational accuracy and conceptual appropriateness, the questionnaire was pre-tested among 13 preclinical medical students at a public university for comprehensibility and among a separate group of 34 students for internal consistency. The Indonesian UNC-GKS questionnaire was then administered to 486 medical students from a public university comprising 228 preclinical medical students, 187 clerkships, and 71 residents.

RESULTS

The Indonesian version of UNC-GKS showed qualitative content validity as well as good reliability (α = 0.809). Among all students, 56.2% demonstrated moderate overall genetic literacy, and only 14.8% demonstrated good overall literacy. Basic genetic concepts were relatively well-understood (54.1% good literacy). On the contrary, gene variant's effects on health were poorly understood (9.5% good literacy). Inheritance concepts were moderately understood (24.5% good literacy).

CONCLUSION

The Indonesian UNC-GKS questionnaire has a good internal consistency making it a reliable genetic literacy assessment tool. Using the questionnaire, we observed predominantly moderate genetic literacy levels in medical students. Further psychometric validation will support broader use of the questionnaire in research and curriculum evaluation. Strengthening genetics education in Indonesian medical schools will support the implementation of personalized medicine in Indonesia's healthcare system.