Perspectives of women on screening and prevention of CMV in pregnancy

Abstract

Objective: To assess the choice and attitude of pregnant women regarding CMV serological screening and CMV prevention behaviors in pregnancy.

Study design: In this cross-sectional study, pregnant women were recruited in a single center during routine prenatal screening tests at 11-16 weeks. Participants filled out a questionnaire assessing knowledge about congenital CMV (cCMV) infection, risk perception and willingness to have CMV serological screening as well as their attitude toward CMV prevention behaviors.

Results: Among 234 pregnant women, 74.4 % (95 % confidence interval: 68.8-80.0 %) wanted CMV serological screening in pregnancy. The factors significantly associated with the desire for screening were perceived risk and perceived severity of cCMV. An informed choice regarding CMV screening (value-consistent, based on good knowledge and deliberated) was performed by 54 % of women who chose the screening and 30 % of women who declined the screening (p = 0.039). The median scores regarding attitudes toward CMV prevention behaviors were 3.7/5 for avoiding sharing behaviors and 4.0/5 for not kissing a child on the lips.

Conclusion: The majority of pregnant women want to have CMV serological screening once informed about congenital CMV infection. New tools need to be developed to allow for informed choice regarding CMV serological screening in pregnancy.

Keywords: Attitudes; Cytomegalovirus; Informed choice; Pregnancy; Screening.