Awareness and understanding of cytomegalovirus infection among polish pregnant women: A CASP-W cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate awareness and understanding of congenital cytomegalovirus infection among pregnant women in Poland and to identify factors associated with higher knowledge.

METHODS

A web-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Poland between February and July 2024, using an anonymous online questionnaire distributed via obstetric-gynecologic clinics and social media. A total of 1015 fully completed responses were analyzed. Knowledge was assessed using a 15-item score and dichotomized at the median. Group comparisons were performed using t-tests or Wilcoxon tests, and univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to identify factors associated with knowledge (p < 0.05).

RESULTS

The mean knowledge score was 7.70 ± 3.60, with no difference between primiparous and multiparous women. Higher odds of high knowledge were associated with daily contact with children under three years of age (OR 1.60; 95 %CI 1.20,2.14) and comfortable household income (OR 1.56; 95 %CI 1.20,2.04). Lower knowledge was associated with public prenatal care (OR 0.65; 95 %CI 0.46,0.94), residence in medium-sized cities (OR 0.59; 95 %CI 0.39,0.88), and rural areas (OR 0.61; 95 %CI 0.44,0.85).

CONCLUSIONS

Pregnant women in Poland demonstrate only moderate awareness of congenital cytomegalovirus, with significant socioeconomic and healthcare-related disparities, indicating a need for early targeted education within public antenatal services.