title: Awareness of cytomegalovirus and risk factors for susceptibility among pregnant women, in Montreal, Canada.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Advances in diagnostic and therapeutic modalities for congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection have generated a mounting interest in identifying mothers susceptible to CMV. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the prevalence and socio-demographic determinants of CMV susceptibility and CMV awareness, among pregnant women, in Montreal, Quebec.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between April and December 2012, women delivering at Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Sainte Justine were recruited for the study. Stored serum from the first trimester of pregnancy was tested for CMV IgG. Knowledge about CMV and socio-demographic characteristics were collected via standardized questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Four hundred and ninety one women were enrolled in the study. Overall, 225 mothers (46%) were seronegative for CMV, and 85% (n = 415) were unaware of CMV or the associated risks in pregnancy. Significant risk factors for CMV seronegative status included Canadian vs. foreign born (aOR 6.88, 95% CI 4.33-10.94), and high vs. low family income (aOR 4.68, 95% CI 2.09-10.48). Maternal employment status was the only significant predictor of CMV unawareness, with unemployed mothers at the highest risk (aOR 85.6, 95% CI 17.3-421.3).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Nearly half of pregnant women studied were at risk of primary infection, and yet, the majority was unaware of potential risks associated with CMV. Canadian born mothers and those with a high socioeconomic status were more likely to be CMV seronegative. Increased education about CMV infection, through public health interventions and obstetrician/pediatric counseling, is needed for all pregnant women.
authors.affiliation: Infectious Disease Division, Department of Paediatrics, CHU Sainte Justine, Université de Montréal, 3175 Ch. de la Cote-Sainte-Catherine (bureau 7412), Montréal, H3T1C5, , QC, Canada. lydasa@yahoo.com.|, 5632 Irving Layton, Montréal, H4W0A2, , QC, Canada. lydasa@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6144-6952
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wizman
authors.affiliation: Infectious Disease Division, Department of Paediatrics, CHU Sainte Justine, Université de Montréal, 3175 Ch. de la Cote-Sainte-Catherine (bureau 7412), Montréal, H3T1C5, , QC, Canada.
authors.forename: Valérie
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Lamarre
authors.affiliation: Infectious Disease Division, Department of Paediatrics, CHU Sainte Justine, Université de Montréal, 3175 Ch. de la Cote-Sainte-Catherine (bureau 7412), Montréal, H3T1C5, , QC, Canada.
authors.forename: Lena
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Coic
authors.affiliation: Infectious Disease Division, Department of Paediatrics, CHU Sainte Justine, Université de Montréal, 3175 Ch. de la Cote-Sainte-Catherine (bureau 7412), Montréal, H3T1C5, , QC, Canada.
authors.forename: Fatima
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Kakkar
authors.affiliation: Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Laval University, Pavillon Ferdinand-Vandry (bureau 4633), 1050 Av de la Medicine, Québec, G1V0A6, QC, Canada.
authors.forename: Jean-Baptiste
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Le Meur
authors.affiliation: Infectious Disease Division, Department of Paediatrics, CHU Sainte Justine, Université de Montréal, 3175 Ch. de la Cote-Sainte-Catherine (bureau 7412), Montréal, H3T1C5, , QC, Canada.|Department of Microbiology, CHU Sainte-Justine, Université de Montréal, 3175 Ch. de la Cote-Sainte-Catherine (bureau 2901), Montréal, H3T1C5, , QC, Canada.
authors.forename: Céline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rousseau
authors.affiliation: Obstetric and Gynecology Department, CHU Sainte Justine, Université de Montréal, 3175 Ch. de la Cote-Sainte-Catherine (bureau 4822), Montréal, H3T1C5, , QC, Canada.
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Boucher
authors.affiliation: Infectious Disease Division, Department of Paediatrics, CHU Sainte Justine, Université de Montréal, 3175 Ch. de la Cote-Sainte-Catherine (bureau 7412), Montréal, H3T1C5, , QC, Canada.
authors.forename: Bruce
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Tapiero
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003587:Cytomegalovirus; D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000821:virology; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000821:virology; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First / Q000097:blood; D037841:Pregnant People / Q000523:psychology*; D011792:Quebec / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D007074:Immunoglobulin G
keywords: Awareness; Cytomegalovirus; Pregnant women; Serostatus; Socio-demographic risk factors