The Evaluation of Prenatal Knowledge and Counselling in Third Year Medical Students

Introduction: Genetic abnormalities are the cause of more than 50% of cases of abortion andcongenital abnormality. Other causes are microbial and parasitic infection. Prevention is the only way to reduce cases of abortion and congenital abnormality. Prevention can be done since prior to fertilization by conducting various examinations during pregnancy. The results of this examination should be communicated properly by medical personnel to the parents through a pre-natal counseling, so that they can take the right decision. Method: Descriptive studies have been conducted with a cross-sectional design at three Schools of Medicine, to assess student’s level of knowledge and skill of pre-natal counseling. Data was obtained using questionnaire and Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE). Results: Subjects’ level of knowledge about genetics related to maternal and child health is stilllacking, (65.3%-78.6%). Subjects’ level of knowledge in the area of infection is quite good (35.6%- 56.9%). Level of subjects’ skill from Faculty of Medicine of Universitas Indonesia from regular classes and Faculty of Medicine and Nursing Universitas Islam Negeri Syarif Hidayatullah is “good” (78.9% and 73.5%). However, level of subjects’ skill from Faculty of Medicine of Universitas Tanjungpura are lacking (57.8%). Conclusion: Medical students’ level of reacting the greting infetion is better compared to gene-tics related to maternal and child health, whereas their skills vary from lacking to good. J Indon Med Assoc. 2012;62:475-81. Keywords: abortion, congenital abnormality, infection, genetic, prenatal counseling