Health literacy and attitudes toward prenatal screening tests among pregnant women: a cross-sectional study in Turkey.

BACKGROUND

Due to the widespread use of screening methods and the increase in advanced age pregnancies, interest in prenatal screening tests is increasing day by day. In Türkiye, the Ministry of Health recommends that pregnant women be informed about prenatal screening tests and ultrasonographic examinations for fetal anomalies and chromosomal aneuploidy. Although these tests are not mandatory, it is important for pregnant women to understand their purpose and scope before making a decision. This requires having sufficient health literacy (HL). This study aimed to examine the HL levels of pregnant women and their perspectives on prenatal screening tests.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study was conducted with 477 pregnant women in the pregnancy follow-up clinic of a university hospital in Turkey. Data were obtained through the Descriptive Information Form-comprising items on sociodemographic characteristics, pregnancy, and prenatal screening-and the Health Literacy Scale (adaptation from HLS-EU-47).

RESULTS

The average age of pregnant women was 27.55 ± 5.56. Pregnant women were most familiar with the double screening test (25.3%). Pregnant women most frequently received information or counseling on prenatal screening tests from obstetricians (44.2%) and the internet/social media (26.3%). The mean HL score was 116.11 ± 11.47, with higher levels observed among those without consanguinity with their spouses and without a family history of hereditary diseases. HL also differed significantly by regular antenatal follow-up, screening practices, and certain sociodemographic factors (p < 0.05). Higher HL was associated with greater uptake of screening. Pregnant women who underwent screening tests and those who wanted to undergo screening tests had higher HL levels.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings suggest that strategies to improve pregnant women's HL should focus on those with low socioeconomic status and advanced age. Integrating HL assessment into routine primary care monitoring and providing visually supported, simplified education on prenatal screening may be beneficial. Midwives should strengthen communication skills suited to pregnant women's HL levels. Further research is recommended on the links between HL, screening tests, and related counseling and interventions among different groups.