Gender disparities in Zika virus knowledge in a potentially at-risk population from suburban New York City.

Zika virus is an emerging infection transmitted in multiple ways. In 2016 we assessed the level of knowledge about Zika virus transmission in an underserved, predominantly Hispanic, mixed gender population living in suburban New York City, many of whom potentially travel to affected regions. Based on a convenience sample of 147 participants, 134 (91%) were aware of Zika virus transmission by mosquitoes; 116 (79%) knew about transmission from a pregnant female to the fetus; and 89 (61%) were aware of sexual transmission. Age, marital status, education, and native language were unrelated to knowledge (P > 0.10). Women, however, were significantly more likely than men to know about sexual transmission (P = 0.023) and about maternal transmission to the fetus (P = 0.044). Travel to Zika virus endemic areas was unrelated to level of knowledge (P = 0.40). Greater awareness of the risk of sexual transmission of Zika virus is needed for at risk populations in the US, especially for males.