Department of Biopharmaceutics and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, The University of Jordan, Amman 11942, Jordan.
Department of Immunology, Leicester Royal Infirmary, Leicester LE1 5WW, UK.
Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2019 Jul 14;16(14):2517. doi: 10.3390/ijerph16142517.
Travelers act as sentinels for the spread of Zika virus. Imported Zika cases and the presence of Zika virus-transmitting mosquitoes have been documented in the Middle East. However, data on travelers' knowledge, attitude and practices regarding Zika and its prevention measures within the Middle East are scarce. This study aimed to address this issue in a sample of Jordanian and non-Jordanian travelers to U.S. in Jordan. A paper-based questionnaire was distributed to 301 travelers to U.S. in Queen Alia International airport, Amman, Jordan. Only 2.7% of the travelers knew that Zika is associated with birth defects. A total of 10.4% of the participants knew that the bite of infected mosquitoes is a route of Zika transmission. Only 12.6% of respondents correctly identified Zika prevention measures. The level of education and future plans for pregnancy were significantly associated with a high knowledge score (R = 0.140, -value < 0.005). Although 76.2% of the travelers perceived Zika as a health threat, only 11.2% believed in the efficacy of the prevention measures. Formulation of educational campaigns within Middle Eastern countries and development of awareness strategies regarding Zika and its prevention within the airports are required. This is particularly essential with the upcoming 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
旅行者是寨卡病毒传播的哨兵。在中东地区已经记录到输入性寨卡病例和传播寨卡病毒的蚊子存在。然而，关于中东地区旅行者对寨卡及其预防措施的知识、态度和实践的数据却很少。本研究旨在对在约旦前往美国的约旦和非约旦旅行者样本中解决这一问题。在约旦安曼的阿利亚王后国际机场，向 301 名前往美国的旅行者分发了纸质问卷。只有 2.7%的旅行者知道寨卡病毒与出生缺陷有关。共有 10.4%的参与者知道感染蚊子的叮咬是寨卡病毒传播的一种途径。只有 12.6%的受访者正确识别了寨卡预防措施。教育水平和未来的怀孕计划与高知识得分显著相关（R = 0.140，p 值 < 0.005）。尽管 76.2%的旅行者认为寨卡是一种健康威胁，但只有 11.2%的人相信预防措施的有效性。需要在中东国家制定教育运动，并在机场制定有关寨卡及其预防措施的意识策略。这在即将到来的 2022 年卡塔尔世界杯期间尤为重要。
