Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42070087›Full record

ArticlePrenatal diagnosis2026

The Utilisation of Genetic Counselling Services Amongst Prenatal Healthcare Providers in Gauteng, South Africa.

Megan Duvenhage, Katryn Fourie, Monica Araujo

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Prenatal diagnosis, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
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

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. 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

3 authors.

Megan DuvenhageDivision of Human Genetics, National Health Laboratory Service and School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3462-9192
Katryn FourieDivision of Human Genetics, National Health Laboratory Service and School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4393-3436
Monica AraujoDivision of Human Genetics, National Health Laboratory Service and School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionCongenital anomalies and genetic disorders contribute substantially to perinatal morbidity and mortality, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Prenatal healthcare providers play a key role in identifying affected pregnancies and referring to patients for genetic counselling; however, referral practices remain suboptimal.

objectiveTo assess the utilisation of genetic counselling services and perceptions of genetic counselling among prenatal healthcare providers in Gauteng Province, South Africa.

methodAn electronic survey was distributed to prenatal healthcare providers working in public and private healthcare sectors in Gauteng. The survey assessed access to genetic counselling services, referral practices, knowledge of referral indications, understanding of the genetic counsellor's role, and perceived barriers to referral. Fifty-four respondents were included.

resultsSeventy-four percent of participants reported being able to refer to patients for genetic counselling, but only 57% had utilised the service. No participant correctly identified all appropriate referral indications, and only 24% understood the scope of practice of genetic counsellors. Only 6% felt confident in their knowledge of genetic counselling.

conclusionAlthough genetic counselling services are available and utilised in Gauteng, they are not accessed to their full potential. Improved education and clearer referral guidance are required to optimise prenatal genetic care in this setting.

Indexed as

Genetic CounselingHealth PersonnelPrenatal CareAdultFemaleHealth Knowledge, Attitudes, PracticeHumansPregnancyReferral and ConsultationSouth AfricaSurveys and Questionnairesattitudesawarenesseducationgenetic counsellingprenatal diagnosisutility

Identifiers

PMID42070087
PMCPMC13571784

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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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.