Awareness of Cytomegalovirus Infection among Pregnant Women in Geneva, Switzerland: A Cross-sectional Study

Alexia Willame, Geraldine Blanchard-Rohner, Christophe Combescure, Olivier Irion, Klara Posfay-Barbe and Begoña Martinez de Tejada
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Alexia Willame: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Geneva Hospitals and Faculty of Medicine, 30 Boulevard de la Cluse, 1211 Geneva 14, Switzerland
Geraldine Blanchard-Rohner: Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital, University of Geneva Hospitals, 6 Rue Willy-Donzé, 1211 Geneva 14, Switzerland
Christophe Combescure: Clinical Research Center, University of Geneva Hospitals, 4 Rue Gabrielle Perret-Gentil, 1211 Geneva 14, Switzerland
Olivier Irion: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Geneva Hospitals and Faculty of Medicine, 30 Boulevard de la Cluse, 1211 Geneva 14, Switzerland
Klara Posfay-Barbe: Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital, University of Geneva Hospitals, 6 Rue Willy-Donzé, 1211 Geneva 14, Switzerland
Begoña Martinez de Tejada: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Geneva Hospitals and Faculty of Medicine, 30 Boulevard de la Cluse, 1211 Geneva 14, Switzerland

IJERPH, 2015, vol. 12, issue 12, 1-13

Abstract: Background : Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is the most frequent cause of congenital infection and commonly associated with sensorineural deficit. At present, there is neither prophylaxis nor treatment during pregnancy. The objective of this study was to evaluate the level of awareness regarding CMV infection and its consequences in women delivering at the University of Geneva Hospitals (Geneva, Switzerland). Methods : The study consisted of a validated questionnaire completed by women in the immediate postpartum period. Results : The questionnaire was completed by 59% (314/528) of delivering women. Only 39% (123/314) knew about CMV and 19.7% (62/314) had received information about preventive measures. Women were more aware about other congenital diseases, such as toxoplasmosis (87%); human immunodeficiency virus (99%); syphilis (85.5%); rubella (92.3%); and group B Streptococcus (63%). Factors associated with CMV awareness were Swiss nationality, high education level, employment in health care or with children, and being followed by an obstetrician. Regarding quality of information, few were aware of the main CMV complications (deafness, 25.2%; mental retardation, 34.5%). Among those informed about CMV, most (74.6%) knew about preventive measures. Among these, 82.5% thought that these were easily applicable. Conclusions : Most women were unaware of CMV infection and its potential risks during pregnancy. It is crucial to improve CMV information given to pregnant women to prevent the risks for the fetus/newborn.

Keywords: cytomegalovirus; pregnancy; information; awareness; infection; congenital; knowledge (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2015
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