Zika Virus: Knowledge Assessment of Residents and Health-Care Providers in Roatán, Honduras, following an Outbreak

Abstract

Few studies have evaluated the effectiveness of Zika virus (ZIKV) public health educational campaigns. Following a ZIKV educational campaign in Roatán, Honduras (October 2016), a survey was administered (March-May 2017) to residents ( = 348) and health-care professionals ([HCPs]; = 44) to evaluate ZIKV knowledge, attitudes, and preventive practices, with attention to sexual health. Knowledge scores were calculated and mapped using participants' home locations. The knowledge scores between HCPs and residents were significantly different (mean 17 versus 11; < 0.001). Only 6% of residents and 14% of HCPs knew that ZIKV was sexually transmissible. Few reported abstinence (2.6% residents; 9.4% HCPs) or condom use (1.6% residents; 12.5% HCPs) to prevent ZIKV infection. Of all subjects, 15.6% were pregnant or had a pregnant partner in the past year; 57.6% expressed concern over ZIKV. Mapping demonstrated spatial heterogeneity in knowledge. The findings suggest a need for improved public health messaging in ZIKV-affected areas.

Physicians’ knowledge, attitudes and practices towards Zika virus infection in Jordan

“…This is consistent with the results of previous report in Bahrain and Indonesia, where only 39% of the nurses and 35% of HCP, respectively, were considered knowledgeable [14,16]. Besides, in Roatán, Honduras, only 14% of HCP knew that ZIKAV is sexually transmitted [13].…”

“…Although 23.5% of the participating physicians perceived ZIKAV as a health threat to their patients, none of them had discussed or counseled a patient before regarding ZIKAV and its complications. Of note, physicians practice assessed by the study in Roatán concerned prevention of ZIKAV-sexual transmission by the physicians themselves, but not patient counseling practice [13]. Our results revealed that the most important factors for the adoption of the practice of patient counseling were the presence of an evidence of ZIKAV in Jordan or a recommendation by the CDC, the WHO, or the government.…”

“…Concerning physicians' attitudes and beliefs, only about a quarter of the participants perceived ZIKAV as a threat for their health, and only half of them believed in the efficacy of the prevention measures. Similarly, only 36% of medical doctor surveyed in Indonesia had a good attitude regarding ZIKAV [15] while 57% of the surveyed HCP in in Roatán, Honduras had concerns over ZIKAV [13]. Although 23.5% of the participating physicians perceived ZIKAV as a health threat to their patients, none of them had discussed or counseled a patient before regarding ZIKAV and its complications.…”

“…A study conducted in Roatán, Honduras, addressed the knowledge of HCP and their prevention practice towards the sexual transmission of ZIKAV. Despite being an area with risk of ZIKAV, only 14% of HCP knew that ZIKAV is sexually transmitted [13]. In Indonesia, one report addressed the knowledge of the surveyed HCP [14], whilst another has recently addressed the attitude of medical doctors [15].…”

Spatial Distribution of Dengue in Honduras during 2016-2019 Using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) &ndash; Implications During Epidemic for Public Health and Travel Medicine

“…As reported before, in general, there are not many studies about arboviral diseases in Honduras [17][18][19][20][21], some explicitly exploring the potential impacts of climate change and variability on DENV, as well as the analysis of the 2015 DENV epidemics [9,12].…”