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Abstract
Zika virus transmission within and between the Americas is of global concern. This
study assessed knowledge about the Zika virus among pregnant women in the United States,
their travel plans to endemic areas, and whether their health care providers discussed
Zika with them.
This cross-sectional study used data from 492 pregnant women (18–50 years) from an
online survey conducted from April 8 to July 27, 2016. Pregnant women were recruited
online through Facebook, Twitter, Craigslist, and Reddit.
Almost all (97.8%) participants had heard of the Zika virus, of which 71% first learned
about it from the internet. Over one third of these pregnant women reported that their
health providers discussed transmission of the Zika virus with them. Most respondents
reported that their providers had discussed risks related to travelling to areas with
Zika outbreaks. Half of the survey respondents reported that their providers gave
them information about avoiding mosquito bites. Pregnant women were not concerned
about Zika affecting their own health, but 34% were very or extremely concerned about
it affecting their babies' health. Almost no pregnant women currently had travel plans
to areas with ongoing Zika transmissions, and of the 14% who previously had plans,
most (85%) cancelled their travel due to concerns about Zika.
Overall, pregnant women in our sample were highly knowledgeable about Zika virus.
Over one third of women received suggestions regarding prevention of Zika from their
healthcare providers.
Highlights
•
Almost all pregnant women in our sample are highly knowledgeable about Zika virus.
•
One third of women receive information about Zika from their healthcare providers.
•
Pregnant women are not concerned about Zika affecting their own health.
•
Over one third of pregnant women are very or extremely concerned about Zika virus
affecting their babies' health.
•
Almost no pregnant women currently had travel plans to areas with ongoing Zika transmissions.
Zika virus is a mosquito-borne flavivirus that is related to dengue virus and transmitted primarily by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, with humans acting as the principal amplifying host during outbreaks. Zika virus was first reported in Brazil in May 2015 (1). By February 9, 2016, local transmission of infection had been reported in 26 countries or territories in the Americas.* Infection is usually asymptomatic, and, when symptoms are present, typically results in mild and self-limited illness with symptoms including fever, rash, arthralgia, and conjunctivitis. However, a surge in the number of children born with microcephaly was noted in regions of Brazil with a high prevalence of suspected Zika virus disease cases. More than 4,700 suspected cases of microcephaly were reported from mid-2015 through January 2016, although additional investigations might eventually result in a revised lower number (2). In response, the Brazil Ministry of Health established a task force to further investigate possible connections between the virus and brain anomalies in infants (3).
CDC has updated its interim guidance for U.S. health care providers caring for women of reproductive age with possible Zika virus exposure to include recommendations on counseling women and men with possible Zika virus exposure who are interested in conceiving. This guidance is based on limited available data on persistence of Zika virus RNA in blood and semen. Women who have Zika virus disease should wait at least 8 weeks after symptom onset to attempt conception, and men with Zika virus disease should wait at least 6 months after symptom onset to attempt conception. Women and men with possible exposure to Zika virus but without clinical illness consistent with Zika virus disease should wait at least 8 weeks after exposure to attempt conception. Possible exposure to Zika virus is defined as travel to or residence in an area of active Zika virus transmission ( http://www.cdc.gov/zika/geo/active-countries.html), or sex (vaginal intercourse, anal intercourse, or fellatio) without a condom with a man who traveled to or resided in an area of active transmission. Women and men who reside in areas of active Zika virus transmission should talk with their health care provider about attempting conception. This guidance also provides updated recommendations on testing of pregnant women with possible Zika virus exposure. These recommendations will be updated when additional data become available.
[a
]Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston,
TX, United States
[b
]Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Women’s Health, The University of Texas Medical
Branch, Galveston, TX, United States
[c
]Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas Medical
Branch, Galveston, TX, United States
[d
]Programme in Emerging Infectious Diseases, Duke Medical School, Singapore
Author notes
[*
]Corresponding author at: Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Center for Interdisciplinary
Research in Women's Health, The University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University
Blvd, Galveston, TX 77555-0587, United States.Department of Obstetrics & GynecologyCenter
for Interdisciplinary Research in Women's HealthThe University of Texas Medical Branch301
University BlvdGalvestonTX77555-0587United States
faguo@
123456utmb.edu
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