ZIKA VIRUS INFECTION;

Abstract

Objective: To assess the knowledge of Zika virus infection in gynecologistsand pediatricians Study Design: Cross sectional. Setting: Tertiary care public hospitalsincluding Sardar Begam, and Allama Iqbal Memorial Hospitals, Sialkot; Services Institute ofMedical Sciences and Jinnah Hospital, Lahore; and Pakistan Air Force Hospital, Islamabad(Pakistan). Period: July to December, 2016. Method: Calculation of sample size using p =0.5 (inavailability of secondary data) in n = z2pq/d2 was followed by convenience samplingbasedrecruitment of the specialists. An indigenously developed questionnaire (Cronbach’s α= 0.79) was administrated to each subject for recording sociodemographic and professionalinformation; and self-reporting to 12 close-ended items on Zika virus infection (ZVI) in women;and microcephaly in newborns. The knowledge was categorized as adequate/inadequate.Results: Overall 172 respondents included (response rate = 97.2%); and substantially higherrate i.e. ≥ 91.9% was found against each of the correct options. Consequently, 94.8% (n= 163) of them showed adequate knowledge (score 10-12 out of possible total = 12) onthe infection and microcephaly. The knowledge had insignificant association with any of thesociodemographic/professional variables e.g. specialty (p ˃ 0.05; χ2 test). Similarly, post hocmultiple comparisons using Tukey’s HSD test revealed insignificant difference among themean values of score (p ˃ 0.05) in 3 occupational positions viz. Foundation doctors (M =11.29, SD = 1.13), trainee doctors (M = 11.26, SD = 0.81), and consultants (M = 11.40, SD= 0.82). Conclusion: Gynecologists and pediatricians had adequate level of the infection andmicrocephaly-related knowledge; though lack disease-oriented attitude and practical handling.