Knowledge and Awareness of Congenital Cytomegalovirus Among Women

Journal Article · Sat Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 2005 · Infectious Diseases in Obstetrics and Gynecology

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1155/IDOG/2006/80383· OSTI ID:1198244

Jeon, Jiyeon; Victor, Marcia; Adler, Stuart P.; Arwady, Abigail; Demmler, Gail; Fowler, Karen; Goldfarb, Johanna; Keyserling, Harry; Massoudi, Mehran; Richards, Kristin; Staras, Stephanie A. S.; Cannon, Michael J.

Background . Congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is a leading cause of disabilities in children, yet the general public appears to have little awareness of CMV. Methods . Women were surveyed about newborn infections at 7 different geographic locations. Results . Of the 643 women surveyed, 142 ( $22\%$ ) had heard of congenital CMV. Awareness increased with increasing levels of education ( $P<.0001$ ). Women who had worked as a healthcare professional had a higher prevalence of awareness of CMV than had other women ( $56\%$ versus $16\%$ , $P\; <.0001$ ). Women who were aware of CMV were most likely to have heard about it from a healthcare provider ( $54\%$ ), but most could not correctly identify modes of CMV transmission or prevention. Among common causes of birth defects and childhood illnesses, women's awareness of CMV ranked last. Conclusion . Despite its large public health burden, few women had heard of congenital CMV, and even fewer were aware of prevention strategies.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• OSTI ID: 1198244
• Alternate ID(s): OSTI ID: 1629831
• Journal Information: Infectious Diseases in Obstetrics and Gynecology, Journal Name: Infectious Diseases in Obstetrics and Gynecology Vol. 2006; ISSN 1064-7449
• Publisher: Hindawi Publishing Corporation
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English