Association between Knowledge of Zika Transmission and Preventative Measures among Latinas of Childbearing Age in Farm-Working Communities in South Florida

Naiya Patel, Moneba Anees, Reema Kola, Juan Acuña, Pura Rodriguez de la Vega, Grettel Castro, Juan G. Ruiz and Patria Rojas
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Naiya Patel: Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA
Moneba Anees: Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA
Reema Kola: Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA
Juan Acuña: Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA
Pura Rodriguez de la Vega: Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA
Grettel Castro: Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA
Juan G. Ruiz: Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA
Patria Rojas: Robert Stempel College of Public Health & Social Work, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA

IJERPH, 2019, vol. 16, issue 7, 1-11

Abstract: Zika infection, an otherwise usually mild disease, is of serious public health concern due to the potential teratogenic effects of the virus. The incidence of Zika infection is difficult to document since it is mostly asymptomatic and detection of those carrying Zika is usually not possible. Currently, there is no vaccine for Zika; therefore, use of personal preventative measures is the only method of avoiding transmission. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between knowledge of Zika transmission and the use of preventive measures among Latinas of childbearing age who lived in or near farm-working communities in South Florida. A secondary data analysis was performed on a cross-sectional study, sampling 100 Latina women aged 18–50 years. Sixty-nine percent demonstrated a high degree of knowledge of Zika transmission, and 68% were categorized as taking good preventative measures. Women with high knowledge were 5.86 times more likely to take good preventative measures than those with no knowledge ( p -value = 0.05). Knowledge was associated with more preventative measures. Therefore, it is essential to further investigate this relationship in order to develop effective public health interventions for this population.

Keywords: Latinas; Zika; knowledge; transmission; prevention (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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