Evidence map›Paper›PMID 37170236›Full record

ArticleBMC pregnancy and childbirth2023

Women's knowledge of and attitudes towards group B streptococcus (GBS) testing in pregnancy: a qualitative study.

Georgina Constantinou, Susan Ayers, Eleanor J Mitchell, Kate F Walker, Jane Daniels, Sarah Moore, Anne-Marie Jones, Soo Downe

Open access · goldAbstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC pregnancy and childbirth, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
1.2field-weighted citation impact, top 22% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it, 4 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Rapid tests for detecting group B streptococcus colonization in pregnant women: A systematic review and meta-analysis of diagnostic accuracy.International journal of gynaecology and obstetrics: the official organ of the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics · 2026
    Pooled it
  2. Review
  3. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors at 3 institutions in 1 country.

Georgina ConstantinouCentre for Maternal and Child Health, School of Health Sciences, City, University of London, Northampton Square, London, EC1V 0HB, UK. georgina.constantinou@city.ac.uk.
Susan AyersCentre for Maternal and Child Health, School of Health Sciences, City, University of London, Northampton Square, London, EC1V 0HB, UK.
Eleanor J MitchellNottingham Clinical Trials Unit, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.
Kate F WalkerPopulation and Lifeorgdivision Unit, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.
Jane DanielsNottingham Clinical Trials Unit, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.
Sarah MooreNottingham Clinical Trials Unit, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.
Anne-Marie JonesNottingham Clinical Trials Unit, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.
Soo DowneSchool of Community Health and Midwifery, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, UK.
University of Nottingham · GBCity, University of London · GBUniversity of Central Lancashire · GB

Funding

National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Technology Assessment Programme 17/86/06
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

background20-25% pregnant women in the UK carry group B streptococcus (GBS) which, if left undetected, is transmitted from pregnant mothers to their babies during birth in 36% of cases. This transmission leads to early onset GBS infection (EOGBS) in 1% of babies which is a significant cause of mortality and morbidity in newborns. The literature available suggests women's knowledge of GBS is low, with many women unaware of the GBS bacterium. In addition, attitudes towards GBS testing have not been widely examined, with research mostly focusing on attitudes towards potential GBS vaccination.

aimTo examine women's knowledge of GBS in pregnancy and their attitudes towards GBS testing.

methodsSemi-structured interviews with 19 women (5 pregnant and 14 postpartum). Interviews were transcribed and analysed using systematic thematic analysis.

resultsFour main theme categories were identified. Participants had varying levels of awareness of GBS, with the information provided by health professionals not being clearly explained or the importance of GBS being downplayed. Participants wanted more information and to feel informed. Overall, the majority had positive attitudes towards being offered and taking up GBS testing, and this study identified some of the key factors influencing their decision. These included: seeing GBS testing as just another routine procedure during pregnancy; that it would lower the risk of their baby becoming unwell; provide reassurance; and allow them to prepare; and provide informed choices. Participants also expressed a few common concerns about GBS testing: questioning the invasiveness of the procedure; risks to themselves and the baby; and the risk of receiving antibiotics.

conclusionsWomen need clear, detailed information about GBS and GBS testing, and women's concerns are important to address if routine GBS testing is implemented. The efficacy of implementing routine universal testing in the UK is currently being investigated in a large multi-centre clinical trial; the GBS3trial, further qualitative research is needed to look at the acceptability of different methods of GBS testing, as well as the acceptability of GBS testing to women in specific groups, such as those planning a home birth or those from different ethnic backgrounds.

Indexed as

Pregnancy Complications, InfectiousStreptococcal InfectionsFemaleHumansInfant, NewbornParturitionPregnancyPregnant PeopleQualitative ResearchStreptococcus agalactiaeGBSGroup B streptococcusMaternal colonisationScreeningTesting

Identifiers

PMID37170236
PMCPMC10173516
OpenAlexW4376224489

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.