Abu-Rish Eman Y, Elayeh Eman R, Browning Michael J
Department of Biopharmaceutics and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan.
Department of Immunology, Leicester Royal Infirmary, Leicester LE1 5WW, United Kingdom.
J Infect Dev Ctries. 2019 Jul 31;13(7):584-590. doi: 10.3855/jidc.11356.
Zika virus (ZIKAV) disease is a public health problem of international concern. Recent evidence has documented imported ZIKAV cases into the Middle East and the existence of ZIKAV-transmitting mosquitoes in Jordan. However, limited data exist on the role of physicians in public awareness in this regard. This study aimed to assess ZIKAV knowledge, attitudes and counseling practices (KAP) of general physicians and gynecologists in Amman, Jordan.
In this cross-sectional study, a structured paper-based questionnaire was completed by 119 participants during 2016-2017.
Only 4.2% of the physicians correctly addressed ZIKAV-complication questions. A misconception of considering direct contact between individuals and breastfeeding as modes of ZIKAV transmission was observed. Only one participant correctly recognized that isolation of infected or exposed persons is not recommended. Having at least five years of experience in medical practice was the only factor that was significantly associated with a high knowledge score (P-value=0.011). Although prevention measures are the sole method to control ZIKAV spread, only 50% of participants believed in the efficacy of such measures. Despite a quarter of participants perceiving ZIKAV as a threat to their patients, none of them have counseled a patient in this regard before. The presence of an evidence of ZIKAV in Jordan and health authorities' recommendations were the most important predictors for adoption of counseling practice.
General physicians and gynecologists in Jordan had several gaps in knowledge of key aspects of ZIKAV disease, and there is a need for specific training programs of physicians and gynecologists.
寨卡病毒（ZIKAV）病是一个国际关注的公共卫生问题。最近的证据记录了中东地区输入性寨卡病毒病例以及约旦存在传播寨卡病毒的蚊子。然而，关于医生在这方面提高公众意识中所起作用的数据有限。本研究旨在评估约旦安曼的普通内科医生和妇科医生对寨卡病毒的知识、态度及咨询实践（KAP）。
在这项横断面研究中，119名参与者于2016 - 2017年期间完成了一份基于纸质的结构化问卷。
只有4.2%的医生正确回答了寨卡病毒并发症相关问题。观察到存在将人与人之间的直接接触和母乳喂养视为寨卡病毒传播方式的误解。只有一名参与者正确认识到不建议隔离感染或暴露者。在医疗实践中至少有五年经验是与高知识得分显著相关的唯一因素（P值 = 0.011）。尽管预防措施是控制寨卡病毒传播的唯一方法，但只有50%的参与者相信这些措施的有效性。尽管四分之一的参与者认为寨卡病毒对其患者构成威胁，但他们之前均未就此向患者提供过咨询。约旦存在寨卡病毒的证据以及卫生当局的建议是采用咨询实践的最重要预测因素。
约旦的普通内科医生和妇科医生在寨卡病毒病关键方面的知识存在若干差距，需要针对内科医生和妇科医生开展特定培训项目。
