فاعلية الإرشاد الجيني في تنمية الوعي بالعوامل الجينية للإعاقة لدى أمهات الأطفال المعرضين لخطر ولادة طفل ذو إعاقة فكرية

Abstract EN

The recent study aimed at investigating the effectiveness of genetic counseling program for developing awareness of the genetic factors of disability among mothers of children at risk of having an intellectually disabled child.

The study sample consisted of seventeen mothers of children with intellectual disabilities.

The sample was divided into experimental group of eight mothers and control group of nine mothers.

The genetic awareness test of the genetic factors was prepared by the researcher and a genetic counseling program was prepared by the researcher, too.

The sessions of the program consisted of 12 sessions to improve the awareness of the genetic factors of mothers of intellectually disabled children.

It was based on the techniques of lecture, dialogue and discussion.

The results revealed that the genetic counseling program was very effective for developing awareness of the genetic factors of disability among mothers of children at risk of having an intellectually disabled child.

The study concluded with recommendations such as: providing families with awareness sessions of genetic factors before planning to have a child, through direct sessions or through brochures, intensive sessions for families with children who are disturbed by genetic factors.

It has become clear through meetings with mothers that their knowledge is deficient or that it relies on inaccurate information, so it is needed to spread the expansion of the establishment of genetic counseling centers, and the appropriate publicity in the media, the dissemination of awareness through the various visual and audio media on the role of genetic counseling prevention of disabilities.

The need also to provide health education services to community members permanently and continuously, to expand research that examines the genetic factors causing disturbances and disabilities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in particular, to be the target of genetic counseling programs