Knowledge of Zika Virus Transmission and Its Prevention among High-Risk Pregnant Women in Brazil

Autor(es)

Pires, Lucas C. ^[1] ; Dantas, Luiza R. ^[1] ; Witkin, Steven S. ^{[2, 3]} ; Bertozzi, Ana Paula A. P. ^[4] ; Dezena, Rita de Cassia A. B. ^[4] ; Rodrigues, Maria M. D. ^[4] ; Gazeta, Rosa Estela ^[4] ; Passos, Saulo D. ^{[4, 5]}

Afiliação do(s) autor(es)

^[1] Jundiai Sch Med, Fac Med, BR-13202550 Jundiai, SP - Brazil

^[2] Weill Cornell Med, Dept Obstet & Gynecol, New York, NY 10065 - USA

^[3] Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Trop Med, Lab Virol, BR-05403000 Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[4] Jundiai Sch Med, Dept Pediat, BR-13207450 Jundiai, SP - Brazil

^[5] Jundiai Sch Med, Lab Pediat Infect Dis, BR-13202550 Jundiai, SP - Brazil

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: Viruses-Basel; v. 13, n. 2 FEB 2021.
• Citações Web of Science: 0

Resumo

Recent outbreaks of Zika virus (ZIKV) infection highlight the urgent need to evaluate the efficacy of current public health measures to educate susceptible groups about how to prevent infection, modes of viral transmission, and consequences of infection. We performed a cross-sectional study in the city of Jundiai, Sao-Paulo, from March 2016 to August 2017. In 315 high-risk pregnant women we evaluated the rate of ZIKV infection, knowledge of pathways of ZIKV transmission, and the use of protective measures. Data were analyzed and correlated with sociodemographic variables. The rate of ZIKV infection was 10.8%. ZIKV transmission by mosquitoes was the best-known means of virus acquisition, while transmission of ZIKV by sexual intercourse as well as mother-fetus transmission was known by less than half of the women. The use of insect repellent, reported by 53% of participants, was correlated with higher education and personal directives from health professionals. Condom use was reported by 19.5% of subjects. Improved strategies to increase awareness of ZIKV infection and its consequences, designed to appeal to specific, targeted populations, are clearly necessary to more accurately prevent the spread of this infection and diminish adverse consequences in the pregnant population. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 16/08578-0 - Infecção vertical pelo vírus Zika e suas repercussões na área materno-infantil
• Beneficiário: Saulo Duarte Passos
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Temático