What do postpartum women know about congenital CMV infection in Greece - A national cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is the most frequent cause of congenital infection worldwide, causing severe morbidity in newborns, infants, and children. Despite its clinical importance, awareness of congenital CMV (cCMV) infection among pregnant women remains limited. The aim of this cross-sectional national study was to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of pregnant women in Greece on cCMV infection.

METHODS

A questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was conducted using a stratified random sample of postpartum women across Greece. The questionnaire was distributed from October 2022 to May 2024. Total knowledge score, awareness of prevention measures, transmission routes, and complications, was assessed for participants.

RESULTS

Among 467 participants, 43% had heard about cCMV infection while 57.6% declared total unawareness of the transmission routes. Awareness was significantly associated with older age, higher education, healthcare occupation, and antenatal screening. According to multivariable analysis, the total knowledge score was significantly influenced by occupation-particularly being a healthcare professional-and prior awareness of cCMV. Only 20% had received information about cCMV infection from their obstetrician during antenatal care with antenatal counseling having a positive impact on the awareness level of new mothers. Vaccination willingness, if a licensed vaccine was available, was expressed by 76% of women and was positively associated with antenatal CMV screening (p = 0.023).

CONCLUSION

Overall, our study indicates that postpartum women have moderate awareness of cCMV infection and hygiene prevention strategies. Counseling on all preventive practices for cCMV infection should be included in perinatal care and national health campaigns and health-care education strategies should be promoted and implemented.