Sources and Level of Patient Knowledge Regarding Available Prenatal Diagnostic Methods and the Frequency of Their Use in the Polish Population.

Introduction

The scope and accessibility of prenatal testing have significantly expanded in recent years, reaching a broader population of pregnant women. Advances in non-invasive diagnostic methods support informed decision-making and help reduce the need for invasive procedures.

Objective

The objective was to evaluate pregnant women's knowledge regarding prenatal testing and assess the quality of information provided by healthcare professionals, including the frequency of screening and invasive procedures. Materials and

Methods

A total of 310 obstetric patients from maternity wards in two hospitals in northern Poland completed a survey addressing prenatal tests, sources of information, and the quality of guidance received from medical staff.

Results

Nearly 75% of respondents demonstrated adequate knowledge of the purpose, indications, and scope of prenatal testing. Physicians were identified as the primary source of information. Approximately 50% correctly indicated the recommended number of ultrasound examinations during pregnancy. No correlation was observed between knowledge of prenatal testing and a history of delivering a child with health complications. The combined first-trimester test was performed in 48.6% of cases, NIPT in 11.6%, and invasive testing in 1.8% of the study group.

Conclusions

Public awareness of prenatal testing in Poland remains insufficient. With the introduction of partially reimbursed tests in 2024, we recommend strengthening educational efforts through social campaigns and targeted training for healthcare professionals.