Congenital Cytomegalovirus Awareness and Knowledge among Health Professionals and Pregnant Women: An Action towards Prevention

Abstract

Introduction: Cytomegalovirus (CMV), is a major cause of childhood disabilities and consensus recommendations emphasize the importance of hygienic measures to reduce perinatal infection. Objective: To evaluate the level of awareness about CMV among health professionals and pregnant women. Methods: We submitted a 20-item online survey regarding CMV perinatal infection to all obstetricians and midwives in Catalonia (Spain) and a 7-item lay-version of the questionnaire to 700 pregnant women. Levels of knowledge were compared among groups. Results: Of the 1449 health professionals approached, 338 surveys were answered. 72% of professionals considered CMV a relevant problem. 47% of obstetricians and 28% of midwives (p=<0.001) routinely informed pregnant women, and less than half knew the risk of fetal transmission. We observed significant differences in knowledge between obstetricians and midwives concerning the risks of recurrent infections, risk of transmission, and risk of severe infection (60.7% vs 45.6%, p=0.006 and 50.6% vs 22.5% p=<0.001); and regarding maternal and neonatal symptoms, and newborn sequelae (23% vs. 8.8% p=<0.001). Of the 700 women approached, we obtained a response rate of 72%. Only 23% had previously heard about CMV; 22% identified transmission routes, and 15% preventive measures. Compared to women without risk factors for CMV infection women at greater risk had heard more about CMV [mothers of children <3 years: 36% vs. 20% p< 0.001; occupational exposure: 43% vs. 20% p=<0.001] and had received more information (mothers of children <3 years: 18% vs. 9.5% p=<0.001; occupational exposure: 23% vs. 9.3% p=0.001). Conclusions: Health care professionals have limited knowledge about CMV and may fail to enforce preventive measures. While pregnant women have limited awareness about CMV infection, they recognize the need for information. Health campaigns should be promoted to enhance awareness about this perinatal infection.

Factors influencing engagement of at-risk individuals in cytomegalovirus vaccine clinical trials: insights from the USA

“…The correlation between awareness and engagement in clinical research as observed in this survey, aligns with ndings reported in studies on other diseases 32,43 . The correlation between CMV awareness and the recency of pregnancy, as seen in this study, is also consistent with the ndings reported by others 22,44 , indicating the success of information campaigns in the US about CMV. Certainly, individuals most concerned about cCMV disease are motivated by the desire to increase their likelihood of having a healthy baby 45 .…”

“The anxiety coming up to every scan—It destroyed me”: A qualitative study of the lived experience of cytomegalovirus infection during pregnancy

“…This is not surprising given that less than 10% of Australian maternity health care professionals routinely discuss CMV with pregnant patients 20 despite national recommendations to do so 21 . Globally, there is wide variation in pregnant women's knowledge regarding CMV, from 22% in USA 22 and Spain 23 to up to 49%–60% in Germany and France, as measured through surveys 24 …”

“…national recommendations to do so. 21 Globally, there is wide variation in pregnant women's knowledge regarding CMV, from 22% in USA 22 and Spain 23 to up to 49%-60% in Germany and France, as measured through surveys. 24 While the experience of shock and anxiety is common to other prenatal diagnoses of fetal abnormality, 25 the CMV experience has several distinct features.…”

Exploring health disparities in congenital CMV (cCMV): a study in a Somali-American community to assess awareness of cCMV and facilitate understanding of universal cCMV screening

“…This highlights the current need and opportunity to educate the community on best practices and on the newborn screening program. Although understanding of CMV infection may be limited, women have a desire for information [ 35 ]. Prior studies have found similar results among women who initially had a low awareness of cCMV infection but, after being informed of its prevalence and risks, expressed support for screening themselves and their newborns [ 34 ].…”

“…Driven by recent successes in optimizing newborn screening methodologies for cCMV infection [ 30 ], the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) recently announced that it would commence universal screening for all newborns for cCMV, beginning in 2023. However, knowledge and awareness of cCMV is low across all communities, racial and ethnic groups, and socioeconomic strata [ 31 – 34 ], even among women who are healthcare providers [ 35 ]. Implementation of universal cCMV screening will likely include an extensive evaluation of the infected newborn, creating a risk for disparities in care [ 36 ].…”