GENETIC LITERACY LEVELS AND GENETIC SCREENING ATTITUDES ON MEDICAL STUDENTS IN INDONESIA: A NATIONAL SURVEY

Abstract

Genetic literacy is an adequate knowledge that personally involves someone to comprehend and actively participate in genetic issues. An individual’s genetic literacy level will influence their decisiveness and attitudes towards reoccurring genetic issues, including genetic screening. This research aimed to discover the relation between genetic literacy levels and genetic screening attitudes of medical students in Indonesia. The data were collected using a cluster sampling method composing of 492 students from 41 universities in Indonesia. Subjects filled the questionnaires, which have underwent validity and reliability test using online modality under local supervisors. Genetic literacy levels were divided into two categories: adequate (>50%) and inadequate (<50%) levels, whereas the genetic screening attitude was categorized into consent and dissent. Of 492 respondents, only 121 people (24.59%) have adequate genetic literacy levels. The study also reports that 262 respondents (60.16%) agreed to the use of genetic screening. Using regression logistic, study found there was no relationship between genetic literacy and attitudes (p>0.05). Disagreements about using genetic screening are more prevalent among female respondents rather than male respondents. The study showed no relationship between genetic literacy levels and genetic screening attitudes of medical students in Indonesia.