Forming a family with sperm donation : a survey of 244 non-biological parents

There has been little research on the views and experiences of non-biological parents of sperm donor children. This paper reports the results of a survey of non-biological mothers and fathers. An online survey was designed and conducted by the Donor Sibling Registry, a US-based non-profit organization that supports those who have used donor conception. A total of 244 people responded (199 non-biological mothers and 45 non-biological fathers). The survey aimed to understand the perspectives of the respondents who had used donor spermatozoa within heterosexual or same-sex relationships, by exploring their views on a number of key issues. Certain issues and concerns associated with not being genetically related to their offspring were experienced differently by men and women. However, there were many important areas of common ground: a concern for getting a healthy donor, the importance of matching the donor to the non-biological partner, and the amount of thought that went into selecting the donor. The implications of these results for policies concerning donor spermatozoa are discussed. There has been little research on the views and experiences of non-biological parents of sperm donor children born from assisted conception. This paper reports the results of a survey of 244 non-biological mothers and fathers. An online survey designed by the Donor Sibling Registry, a US-based non-profit organization that supports those who have used donor conception, was conducted. Two hundred and forty four people responded (199 non-biological mothers and 45 non-biological fathers). The survey aimed to understand the perspectives of these parents within heterosexual and same-sex relationships who had used donor insemination in greater depth by exploring their views on a number of key issues. Certain issues and concerns that related to not being genetically related to their offspring were experienced differently by the men and women. However, there were many important areas of common ground: a concern for getting a healthy donor, the importance of matching the donor to the non-biological partner and the amount of thought that went into selecting the donor. The implications of these results for policies concerning donor insemination will be discussed. © 2012 Reproductive Healthcare Ltd

Construct validity of the Dutch version of the 12-item Partners in Health scale: measuring patient self-management behaviour and knowledge in patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Objective The 12-item Partners in Health scale (PIH) was developed in Australia to measure self-management behaviour and knowledge in patients with chronic diseases, and has undergone several changes. Our aim was to assess the construct validity and reliability of the latest PIH version in Dutch COPD patients.Methods The 12 items of the PIH, scored on a self-rated 9-point Likert scale, are used to calculate total and subscale scores (knowledge; coping; recognition and management of symptoms; and adherence to treatment). We used forward-backward translation of the latest version of the Australian PIH to define a Dutch PIH (PIH(Du)). Mokken Scale Analysis and common Factor Analysis were performed on data from a Dutch COPD sample to investigate the psychometric properties of the Dutch PIH; and to determine whether the four-subscale solution previously found for the original Australian PIH could be replicated for the Dutch PIH.Results Two subscales were found for the Dutch PIH data (n = 118); 1) knowledge and coping; 2) recognition and management of symptoms, adherence to treatment. The correlation between the two Dutch subscales was 0.43. The lower-bound of the reliability of the total scale equalled 0.84. Factor analysis indicated that the first two factors explained a larger percentage of common variance (39.4% and 19.9%) than could be expected when using random data (17.5% and 15.1%).Conclusion We recommend using two PIH subscale scores when assessing self-management in Dutch COPD patients. Our results did not support the four-subscale structure as previously reported for the original Australian PIH

Abstracts from the NIHR INVOLVE Conference 2017

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The association between treatment adherence to nicotine patches and smoking cessation in pregnancy: a secondary analysis of a randomised controlled trial

IntroductionIn non-pregnant ‘quitters’, adherence to nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) increases smoking cessation. We investigated relationships between adherence to placebo or NRT patches and cessation in pregnancy, including an assessment of reverse causation and whether any adherence: cessation relationship is moderated when using nicotine or placebo patches. MethodsUsing data from 1050 pregnant trial participants, regression models investigated associations between maternal characteristics, adherence and smoking cessation. ResultsAdherence during the first month was associated with lower baseline cotinine concentrations (beta -0.08, 95%CI -0.15 to -0.01) and randomisation to NRT (beta 2.59, 95%CI 1.50 to 3.68). Adherence during both treatment months was associated with being randomised to NRT (beta 0.51, 95%CI 0.29 to 0.72) and inversely associated with higher nicotine dependence. Adherence with either NRT or placebo was associated with cessation at one month (OR 1.11, 95%CI 1.08 to 1.13) and delivery (OR 1.06, 95%CI 1.03 to 1.09), but no such association was observed in the subgroup where reverse causation was not possible. Amongst all women, greater adherence to nicotine patches was associated with increased cessation (OR 2.47, 95%CI 1.32 to 4.63) but greater adherence to placebo was not (OR 0.98, 95%CI: 0.44 to 2.18). ConclusionWomen who were more adherent to NRT were more likely to achieve abstinence; more nicotine dependent women probably showed lower adherence to NRT because they relapsed to smoking more quickly. The interaction between nicotine-containing patches and adherence for cessation suggests that the association between adherence with nicotine patches and cessation may be partly causal

A survey of 1700 women who formed their families using donor spermatozoa

This paper reports the results of an online survey of 1700 recipients of donor spermatozoa conducted by the Donor Sibling Registry, aiming to understand the perspectives of respondents who had used donor spermatozoa. The survey examined: choice of sperm bank and donor; reporting of births and genetic disorders; disclosure; contact with donor and half-siblings; regulation of sperm donor activity and genetic testing; and access to medical information. The respondents formed three groups: single women; women in a same-sex relationship; and women in a heterosexual relationship. Some differences between the three cohorts were observed: preinsemination counselling; acceptance of donors without medical records or with chronic or late-onset diseases; awareness of choice of bank and type of donor; and views on the right of offspring to know their genetic origins. However, important areas of common ground were identified: the wish by those who had used an anonymous donor that they had used an open-identity donor; support for, and willingness to pay for, comprehensive genetic testing of donors; and desire for access to their donor’s family health information. The implications of these results for policies concerning the use and management of donor spermatozoa will be discussed

Construct validity of the Dutch version of the 12-item Partners in Health scale : measuring self-management behaviour and knowledge in COPD patients

The 12-item Partner in Health (PIH) scale was developed in Australia to measure self-management behaviour and knowledge in patients with chronic diseases. The scale has undergone several changes since first published. Our study aim was to validate the latest PIH in Dutch COPD patients.The 12 items of the PIH are scored on a self-rated 9-point Likert scale (range: 0-8; higher scores indicate better self-management), providing total and subscale scores (knowledge, coping, recognition and management of functions, adherence to treatment).We used forward-backward translation of the latest version of the Australian PIH. Dimensionality and reliability analyses were performed to investigate the psychometric properties, and to determine whether the Dutch PIH replicated the same four subscales of self-management as the original PIH.Reanalysis of the original PIH validation study (186 Australian patients with chronic diseases) showed a single scale. Two scales (1. knowledge and coping; 2. recognition and management of symptoms, adherence to treatment) were found for the Dutch PIH (118 Dutch COPD patients). The correlation between the two Dutch scales was 0.43. The lower-bound of the reliability of the total scale was 0.81 (Australian PIH) and 0.84 (Dutch PIH).Different scale structures were found for the original Australian and the Dutch PIH. Our results did not support the 4-scale structure reported previously. To increase comparability and generalisability of our findings, the scale structure of the revised Australian PIH needs to be investigated further. Meanwhile, we advise using the PIH total score or two subscale scores when assessing COPD patients

Validation of the 12-item Partners in Health scale to measure patient self-management behaviour and knowledge in Dutch patients with COPD

The 12-item Partner in Health (PIH) scale was developed in Australia to measure self-management behaviour and knowledge in patients with chronic diseases. The scale has undergone several changes since first published. Our study aim was to validate the latest PIH in Dutch COPD patients.The 12 items of the PIH are scored on a self-rated 9-point Likert scale (range: 0-8; higher scores indicate better self-management), providing total and subscale scores (knowledge, coping, recognition and management of functions, adherence to treatment).We used forward-backward translation of the latest version of the Australian PIH. Dimensionality and reliability analyses were performed to investigate the psychometric properties, and to determine whether the Dutch PIH replicated the same four subscales of self-management as the original PIH.Reanalysis of the original PIH validation study (186 Australian patients with chronic diseases) showed a single scale. Two scales (1. knowledge and coping; 2. recognition and management of symptoms, adherence to treatment) were found for the Dutch PIH (118 Dutch COPD patients). The correlation between the two Dutch scales was 0.43. The lower-bound of the reliability of the total scale was 0.81 (Australian PIH) and 0.84 (Dutch PIH).Different scale structures were found for the original Australian and the Dutch PIH. Our results did not support the 4-scale structure reported previously. To increase comparability and generalisability of our findings, the scale structure of the revised Australian PIH needs to be investigated further. Meanwhile, we advise using the PIH total score or two subscale scores when assessing COPD patients

Scale solutions for the 12-item Dutch Partners in Health scale.

<p>Scale solutions for the 12-item Dutch Partners in Health scale.</p