A W Shand1,2, W Luk2, N Nassar1, L Hui3,4,5, K Dyer2, W Rawlinson6,7. 1. a Menzies Centre for Health Policy, Sydney School of Public Health , University of Sydney , Sydney , Australia. 2. b Department of Maternal Fetal Medicine , Royal Hospital for Women , Randwick , Australia. 3. c Department of Perinatal Medicine , Mercy Hospital for Women , Heidelberg , Australia. 4. d Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , University of Melbourne , Parkville , Australia. 5. e Public Health Genetics , Murdoch Children's Research Institute , Parkville , Australia. 6. f Virology Division, South Eastern Laboratory Services Microbiology , Prince of Wales Hospital , Sydney , Australia. 7. g School of Medical Sciences , University of New South Wales , Sydney , Australia.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To assess the knowledge, practice and attitudes of maternity clinicians regarding congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV). It is the most common congenital infection, and well-recognized cause of neurodevelopmental disability and hearing loss. New consensus recommendations state all pregnant women and health-care providers should be educated about congenital CMV infection and preventive measures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An email questionnaire was distributed in October 2015 to specialists, diplomates (general practitioners), and trainees of the Royal Australian New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG), and Victorian and New South Wales midwives. RESULTS: 774 responded: (37.3% specialists, 17.3% diplomates, 16.8% trainees, 28.6% midwives). Clinicians had variable knowledge of fetal sequelae, transmission routes and prevention. Overall, 30.2% felt confident about discussing CMV in pregnancy: less than 10% of midwives (7.4%) and less than half of specialists (47.1%, p < .0001). Only 8.8% of respondents routinely discussed CMV prevention with pregnant women. The majority (69.3%) responded that professional societies should make practice recommendations, and 88% thought more patient information was needed, preferably leaflets. CONCLUSIONS: Australasian maternity clinicians lack confidence and knowledge about congenital CMV. Few (<10%) routinely provide advice on prevention. There is urgent need for clinical guidance and patient information to reduce the burden of disease.
PURPOSE: To assess the knowledge, practice and attitudes of maternity clinicians regarding congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV). It is the most common congenital infection, and well-recognized cause of neurodevelopmental disability and hearing loss. New consensus recommendations state all pregnant women and health-care providers should be educated about congenital CMV infection and preventive measures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An email questionnaire was distributed in October 2015 to specialists, diplomates (general practitioners), and trainees of the Royal Australian New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG), and Victorian and New South Wales midwives. RESULTS: 774 responded: (37.3% specialists, 17.3% diplomates, 16.8% trainees, 28.6% midwives). Clinicians had variable knowledge of fetal sequelae, transmission routes and prevention. Overall, 30.2% felt confident about discussing CMV in pregnancy: less than 10% of midwives (7.4%) and less than half of specialists (47.1%, p < .0001). Only 8.8% of respondents routinely discussed CMV prevention with pregnant women. The majority (69.3%) responded that professional societies should make practice recommendations, and 88% thought more patient information was needed, preferably leaflets. CONCLUSIONS: Australasian maternity clinicians lack confidence and knowledge about congenital CMV. Few (<10%) routinely provide advice on prevention. There is urgent need for clinical guidance and patient information to reduce the burden of disease.
Entities:
Keywords:
Congenital; cytomegalovirus; health education; pregnancy; prevention
Authors: Amy Montague; Tushna Vandrevala; Anna Calvert; I-Ling Yeh; Caroline Star; Asma Khalil; Paul Griffiths; Paul T Heath; Christine E Jones Journal: Midwifery Date: 2022-01-06 Impact factor: 2.372
Authors: Hayley Smithers-Sheedy; Katherine Swinburn; Emma Waight; Ruth King; Lisa Hui; Cheryl A Jones; Kate Daly; William Rawlinson; Sarah Mcintyre; Annabel Webb; Nadia Badawi; Asha Bowen; Philip N Britton; Pamela Palasanthiran; Anne Lainchbury; Antonia Shand Journal: Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol Date: 2022-03-29 Impact factor: 1.884