title: Awareness of Cytomegalovirus Infection among Pregnant Women in Geneva, Switzerland: A Cross-sectional Study.
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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Geneva Hospitals and Faculty of Medicine, 30 Boulevard de la Cluse, 1211 Geneva 14, Switzerland. Alexia.Willame@hcuge.ch.
authors.forename: Alexia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Willame
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital, University of Geneva Hospitals, 6 Rue Willy-Donzé, 1211 Geneva 14, Switzerland. Geraldine.BlanchardRohner@hcuge.ch.
authors.forename: Geraldine
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Blanchard-Rohner
authors.affiliation: Clinical Research Center, University of Geneva Hospitals, 4 Rue Gabrielle Perret-Gentil, 1211 Geneva 14, Switzerland. Christophe.Combescure@hcuge.ch.
authors.forename: Christophe
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Combescure
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Geneva Hospitals and Faculty of Medicine, 30 Boulevard de la Cluse, 1211 Geneva 14, Switzerland. Olivier.Irion@hcuge.ch.
authors.forename: Olivier
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Irion
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital, University of Geneva Hospitals, 6 Rue Willy-Donzé, 1211 Geneva 14, Switzerland. Klara.PosfayBarbe@hcuge.ch.
authors.forename: Klara
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Posfay-Barbe
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Geneva Hospitals and Faculty of Medicine, 30 Boulevard de la Cluse, 1211 Geneva 14, Switzerland. Begona.MartinezdeTejada@hcuge.ch.
authors.forename: Begoña
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Martinez de Tejada
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000635:transmission; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D018445:Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013557:Switzerland; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: awareness; congenital; cytomegalovirus; infection; information; knowledge; pregnancy