Arzani, D.

Boccia, S.

Colotto, M.

Giraldi, L.

Ineichen, C.

Pastorino, R.

Vayena, E.

English

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Student’s Knowledge and Attitude Towards Direct-To-Consumer Genetic TestsLuca GiraldiM Colotto1, L Giraldi1, R Pastorino1, D Arzani1, E Vayena2, C Ineichen2,S Boccia11Section of Hygiene-Institute of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine,Universita` Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy2Institute of Biomedical Ethics and history of medicine, University of Zurich,Zurich, SwitzerlandContact: giraldi_luca@libero.it388 European Journal of Public Health, Vol. 25, Supplement 3, 2015AimsThis study reports on the attitudes of 179 Italian MedicalStudents to direct-to-consumer (DTC) genetic test and toparticipation in research practices.MethodsData were collected using a self-completion online question-naire sent to 380 medical students at the faculty of Medicine ofthe Universita` Cattolica del Sacro Cuore in Rome, Italy.Questions pertained issues related to awareness and attitudestowards genetic testing, reactions to hypothetical results, andviews about contributing data to scientific research.Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for the analysis.ResultsThe response rate was 47.1%. None of the students had everbeen subjected to a DTC genetic test. Less than 50% ofstudents were aware of DTC genetic test. Seventy-four percentof the sample were interested in undergoing DTC genetic test,and the main reasons were being aware on genetic predisposi-tion to diseases or characteristic, and the potential forinherited genetic predisposition to a disease. Among thosewho were not willing to undergo a genetic test (26.3% of thesample), the main reason was the lack of confidence in themeaning of the results, followed closely by the fear that theresults could be of concern. In the hypothetical situations of anincreased disease risk after undergoing DTC genetic testing,respondents would take actions to reduce that risk, while in theopposite scenario they would feel unaffected because of theprobabilistic nature of the test. There was a significantassociation between being female and the interest in partici-pating in a genetic study conducted in a clinic. Furthermore,this interest was also associated to the willingness to makingdata available for research.ConclusionsWe reported a good level of awareness about DTC genetic testand a high interest in undergoing DTC genetic test in ourmedical students. Nevertheless, opinions and reactions onDTC genetic tests are strongly dependent by the hypotheticalgood or bad result that the test could provide and by thecontext whereby a genetic test could be performed. Thereforerespondents seem to be exposed to the risk of psychologicalharms, and a strong regulation regarding their use is required.Key message Interest in DTC tests may be the first step to spreadknowledge among the doctors of the future years and tomake them aware of the opportunities and the risks relatedto their use8th European Public Health Conference: Poster Displays 389

Student's Knowledge and Attitude Towards Direct-To-Consumer Genetic Tests: Luca Giraldi

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Student's Knowledge and Attitude Towards Direct-To-Consumer Genetic Tests: Luca Giraldi

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