Patient Attitudes Toward Genotyping in an Urban Women's Health Clinic

OBJECTIVE: To estimate willingness of women to donate specimens for DNA analysis by needlestick compared with collection of saliva. METHODS: This study was a cross-sectional survey given to women attending clinic appointments asked about their knowledge and attitudes toward genetics research and genotyping. RESULTS: The majority of the 279 women surveyed would give DNA specimens by needlestick (68.3%) but more would be willing to donate saliva (75.7%), P=.003. An ethnic difference was seen in the replies about needlesticks but not regarding saliva donation. Multivariable analysis demonstrated that women who were likely to donate specimens rated themselves more knowledgeable about genes and DNA (odds ratio 2.43, 95% confidence interval 1.12-5.28) and had graduated from college or higher (odds ratio 6.74, 95% confidence interval 1.98-22.86). CONCLUSION: More women are willing to donate DNA specimens by saliva than by needlestick. Knowledge and higher education predict a willingness to donate.