Knowledge of cytomegalovirus and available prevention strategies in pregnancy: a cross-sectional study in Portugal

Abstract

Objective

Maternal and fetal congenital infection by cytomegalovirus (CMV) during pregnancy is the leading infectious cause of neurologic impairment and hearing loss. Efforts at limiting CMV exposure are based on hygienic measures. This study assessed the relationship between CMV knowledge and pregnant women’s time perspective as per the Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory (ZTPI) scale.

Methods

We conducted a prospective descriptive study at a secondary-care Portuguese hospital between October to November 2021. All consecutive pregnant women in antenatal third-trimester appointments were included. The questionnaire included: sociodemographic data, knowledge about CMV, and the ZTPI scale, validated to our population. The number of correct answers in the knowledge section of the questionnaire was tallied to determine the individual knowledge score (KS). We investigated patients subjective perceptions of CMV infection during pregnancy, CMV knowledge, and CMV serologic status of pregnant women.

Results

We enrolled 96 pregnant women. 81.0% had not previously heard about CMV and only 8.8% had heard about it through their obstetrician. No significant association between awareness of CMV and education level was detected. 16.0% of pregnant women declared that they were aware of the hygienic measures for CMV. The CMV serology was performed in 21.3% of those enrolled in the preconception assessment, and 13.8% proved to be immune. From the time perspective, half of the women displayed a future-oriented attitude. Future-oriented women had significantly higher KS. No significant association was found between KS and education level, age, or previous pregnancy. There was a significant association between KS and women that work in health care.

Conclusions

Most patients had no knowledge of CMV. Being a medical professional and having a future-oriented outlook increases knowledge about CMV. Primary health care and obstetrics doctors may play a crucial role in informing pregnant women of antenatal appointments. The CMV serology coverage is scarce in this sample. This study constitutes a first step toward raising the awareness of the general population about CMV.

Keywords:

• Cytomegalovirus
• prevention
• congenital infection
• knowledge
• time perspective

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s). The authors alone are responsible for the content and for writing this article.

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.