Abstract
The development in human genetics must be tracked with the knowledge to provide support and positive attitudes towards genetic research and its healthcare applications, including genetic testing. Unfortunately, there has been a delay in enacting public policies related to the genetics professionals as well as the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of genetic diseases in Indonesia. This research was conducted to build an overview of genetic knowledge and public attitudes toward genetic testing among Indonesian undergraduates. This cross-sectional study involved undergraduate students selected using the convenience sampling method. The questionnaire consisted of two parts: a true/false questionnaire (16 statements) regarding knowledge of genetics and a 5-points Likert scale questionnaire (27 statements) pertaining to attitudes towards genetic testing. A total of 1596 undergraduate students completed online questionnaire. The highest knowledge score and the most positive overall attitudes were observed in the healthcare-related majors compared to those who studied science and technology and social and humanity. A weak positive correlation was observed between knowledge and attitude toward genetic testing (Pearson’s r = 0.206, p < 0.001). Undergraduate students from healthcare-related majors displayed better in both knowledge of genetics and had more positive attitudes toward genetic testing.
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Acknowledgements
We are grateful to all students in Indonesia who are willing to participate and kindly completed this survey. This work was supported by the vice rector of Diponegoro University Dwi Cahyo Utomo, S.E., M.A, PhD and Wahyudi for the assistance and support during data collection.
Funding
This work was supported by Research Grant from University of Diponegoro, Semarang, Indonesia (RPIBT − No. 233 − 146/UN7.6.1/PP/2020). The funder played no role in the study design or data interpretation.
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All authors contributed to the study conception and design. Material preparation, data collection and analysis were performed by I.H, C.H.C,T.I.W,A.U,F.K.C. The first draft of the manuscript was written by I.H, C.K.C, F.K.C, and all authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
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The questionnaire and methodology for this study was approved by the Ethics Commission for Medical and Health Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of Diponegoro prior to this research (Ethics approval number: No. 219/EC/KEPK/FK-UNDIP/VI/2021 and No. 233/EC/KEPK/FK-UNDIP/VII/2021).
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Hermanto, I., Chandra, C.K., Utari, A. et al. Knowledge of genetics and attitudes toward genetic testing among university students in Indonesia. J Community Genet (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12687-024-00711-0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12687-024-00711-0