Midwives' attitudes to alphafetoprotein screening

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Abstract
In a recent survey involving antenatal clinics which together deal with approximately 25% of the births in Sweden, midwives were asked about their attitudes to prenatal screening with alphafetoprotein (AFP). The majority of them felt that so many women experienced anxiety while waiting for the AFP test results that it would be better if the test was not carried out. However, most of the midwives said that if they themselves were pregnant, they would probably take the test, and the likelihood of their so doing would increase the closer they were to the presumed age of 40. We have found groups of midwives whose attitudes differ in their affective and behavioral components and who may therefore create differing atmospheres for women taking the test. There are midwives who are consistently negative toward the test and others who are consistently positive; but we have also found a group of midwives showing some inconsistency between the affective and behavioral components. These midwives feel that the AFP test causes pregnant women unnecessary anxiety, but this group is nonetheless the one which is least opposed to the test being made compulsory for all pregnant women.

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