Women’s Perceptions of Zika Virus Prevention Recommendations in Fortaleza, Brazil

Abstract

As a response to the rise in microcephaly cases in 2015, Brazilian health authorities recommended a number of Zika virus (ZIKV) prevention behaviors. This study explores the contrast between the Brazilian health authorities’ health promotion response to the epidemic and the context in which the epidemic unfolded. Rapid Anthropological Assessment was used to assess how women in Fortaleza, Brazil, perceive ZIKV, ZIKV prevention recommendations, and the feasibility of adhering to these recommendations. Semi-structured interviews, informational interviews, and observations were used. The ZIKV recommendations and prevention did not represent best practices in health communication and promotion and failed to achieve their goals. Prevention recommendations were delivered without actionable steps and without considering cultural, socioeconomic, or environmental contexts. It is imperative to take advantage of this interepidemic period to apply best practices in health communication, education, and promotion to ensure populations at risk have adequate awareness, information, and resources to prevent infection.

Use of insect repellent as personal protection among women of childbearing age in an arbovirus endemic area in Northeastern Brazil

“…The participants of the research, pregnant and nonpregnant, evidenced as the main justifications for nonadherence the insufficient knowledge of the repellent and the financial aspect linked to its acquisition. During the ZIKV epidemic, the prevention of the disease entailed costs for women, leading the poorest to put aside practices that required financial expenditure 30 , 34 . This is the case of insect repellents, which, when not offered free of charge, implies additional costs for the family.…”

“…The provision of guidance without considering the characteristics of the target audience, behavioral changes, and the application of advances in the theory and practice of health communication 27 , 34 is reflected in low adherence to the measure or irregular use, even when a preventive strategy is accessed 28 , 29 , 37 .…”

Uso de repelente como medida de proteção pessoal por mulheres em idade fértil residentes em áreas endêmicas para arboviroses no Nordeste do Brasil

“…As participantes da pesquisa, grávidas e não grávidas, evidenciaram como principais justificativas da não adesão o insuficiente conhecimento sobre o repelente e o fator financeiro atrelado a sua aquisição. Durante a epidemia do ZIKV, a prevenção à doença acarretou custos às mulheres, levando as mais pobres a deixarem de lado as práticas que requeriam gastos financeiros 30,34 . É o caso do repelente, que, quando não ofertado gratuitamente, sua aquisição implica em custos adicionais para a família.…”

“…O fornecimento de orientações sem considerar as características do público-alvo, as mudanças comportamen-tais e a aplicação dos avanços da teoria e prática da comunicação em saúde 27,34 , reflete na baixa adesão à medida ou no uso irregular, mesmo quando uma estratégia preventiva é acessada 28,29,37 .…”