Listeriosis in pregnancy: survey of British Columbia practitioners' knowledge of risk factors, counseling practices, and learning needs.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the knowledge, counseling practices, and learning needs of practitioners in British Columbia regarding risk factors for listeriosis in pregnancy.
DESIGN: A 1-page, mailed, self-administered, anonymous questionnaire.
SETTING: British Columbia. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 827 practitioners (614 family physicians, 93 midwives, and 120 family practice residents) were sent the questionnaire. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Awareness of listeriosis, knowledge of the risk factors for listeriosis, practices for counseling pregnant women, practitioners' learning needs, and provider and practice characteristics.
RESULTS: A total of 340 practitioners (41%) completed the questionnaire. While most (88%) physicians and midwives had heard of listeriosis, few (18%) were aware that infection was more common during pregnancy. One-third (33%) of practitioners counseled pregnant women about the risk factors for listeriosis. The main reasons for not providing such counseling were lack of knowledge and the perception that listeriosis was rare and not an important concern for pregnant women. Rates of counseling were highest among midwives (84%) and lowest among physicians practising outside the Lower Mainland of British Columbia (12%). Of those practitioners providing prenatal care, 47% counseled pregnant women about the risks of unpasteurized milk and 41% counseled women about the risks of consuming soft cheese; few counseled about the risks of consuming deli meat or raw hot dogs (25%), unwashed fruit and vegetables (12%), or refrigerated smoked seafood (6%).
CONCLUSION: Most prenatal care providers in British Columbia are unaware of the risk factors for listeriosis or its propensity for pregnant women and do not counsel their pregnant patients about these risks.