Premium
Knowledge and perceptions of Zika virus among reproductive‐aged women after public announcement of local mosquito‐borne transmission
Author(s) -
Curry Christine L.,
Tse Colette,
Billero Victoria,
Hellerstein Leah,
Messore Marisa,
Fein Lydia
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
journal of obstetrics and gynaecology research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.597
H-Index - 50
eISSN - 1447-0756
pISSN - 1341-8076
DOI - 10.1111/jog.13533
Subject(s) - zika virus , medicine , transmission (telecommunications) , public health , pregnancy , epidemiology , reproductive health , environmental health , family medicine , virus , demography , virology , population , nursing , biology , electrical engineering , sociology , engineering , genetics
Aim This study was conducted to ascertain the knowledge and perceptions of the Zika virus among reproductive‐aged women living in the first affected area of the United States with local mosquito‐borne transmission. Methods Reproductive‐aged women were surveyed during the four weeks immediately following the announcement of local Zika virus transmission. The survey evaluated the participant's knowledge of Zika pathogenesis and transmission, sequelae of infection, epidemiology and public health information. Results Fifty‐nine women (age range 18–45) completed the survey. Most patients ( n = 53, 89.8%) had received information about the Zika virus from the media rather than clinicians. In 93% of the questions, a high level of knowledge was demonstrated by the participants. Personal concern about becoming infected with the Zika virus was significantly higher in those considering pregnancy ( n = 13, 86.7% vs n = 21, 47.7%; P = 0.01). Conclusion In the weeks following recognized local transmission of the Zika virus in the continental United States, reproductive‐aged women had a high level of knowledge of the Zika virus, but those considering pregnancy harbored the greatest concern of personal risk of infection.