Journal of Genetic Counseling
Volume 7, Issue 1, 1998, Pages 49-70

Reproductive genetic counseling to Asian-Pacific and Latin American immigrants (Article)

Mittman I.* , Crombleholme W.R. , Green J.R. , Golbus M.S.
  • a Division of Medical Genetics, Howard University Coll. of Medicine, Box 75, 520 W. Street, Washington, DC 20059-0001, United States
  • b Division of Medical Genetics, Howard University Coll. of Medicine, Box 75, 520 W. Street, Washington, DC 20059-0001, United States
  • c Division of Medical Genetics, Howard University Coll. of Medicine, Box 75, 520 W. Street, Washington, DC 20059-0001, United States
  • d Division of Medical Genetics, Howard University Coll. of Medicine, Box 75, 520 W. Street, Washington, DC 20059-0001, United States

Abstract

Latin and Asian-Pacific immigrants are the fastest growing new-comer groups in the U.S. contributing to 85% of immigration totals. New immigrants experience multiple barriers to accessing genetic counseling resulting from cultural, linguistic, financial, and educational factors as well as having unique perception on health, illness, reproduction, and life as a whole. In addition, new immigrants lack familiarity with Western medical practices as well as genetic risk and available interventions. We provided perinatal genetic services to 2430 clients, mostly new immigrants of Latin and Asian- Pacific descent over a period of 6 years. Counseling aides sharing the clients' cultural backgrounds were employed. A study assessing the efficacy of cross-cultural education regarding advanced maternal age risk and amniocentesis was implemented and linked to a database containing demographic and clinical information. Practical observations relating to cultural beliefs in the two groups relevant to perinatal genetic counseling were made.

Author Keywords

immigrants Prenatal diagnostic Ethnic/racial minorities Genetic counseling

Index Keywords

controlled study ethnic group female major clinical study cultural anthropology immigrant maternal welfare genetic counseling prenatal care Maternal Age Article human adult amniocentesis
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-0031892934&doi=10.1023%2fA%3a1022816128420&partnerID=40&md5=7a78760359321d2aeef5c8e0ec87a396
DOI: 10.1023/A:1022816128420
ISSN: 10597700
Cited by: 17
Original Language: English