Pregnant women’s knowledge and attitude about stem cells and cord blood banking

The aim of this study is to assess pregnant women knowledge and attitude towards stem cells and cord blood banking in Cuttack city, Odisha.

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 300 pregnant women in SCB, MCH, Cuttack city for 3 months.

Sampling technique used in this study was convenience sampling. A structured questionnaire consisting of socio-demographic details, 20 questions about knowledge and 10 questions about the attitude toward stem cells and cord blood banking were included in the questionnaire. Data were collected by interviewing the participants.

Data obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistics frequency and percentage and regression analysis using SPSS version 16.

Among 300 pregnant women, 230(76.7%) had no knowledge and 70(23.3%) had knowledge about stem cells and cord blood banking. Almost all of the pregnant women around 80.3% had positive attitudes towards banking stem cells in public bank. About 156(52%) women want to get information regarding stem cells and cord blood banking from their obstetricians. In the present study, as age increased attitude toward stem cells and its banking increased, and it was statistically significant (P<0.05). Whereas age increased knowledge towards stem cells and its banking decreased and it was statistically significant (P<0.05).

The majority of the participants had inadequate knowledge about stem cells and cord blood banking and wanted to be informed. The majority of the pregnant women wanted to have their stem cells stored and preferred public cord blood banking. The data obtained in this study can also provide a basis for future studies.