Knowledge of Zika virus disease among reproductive-age women attending a general outpatient clinic in Northern Nigeria

  • G C Michael Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital
  • I Aliyu Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital
  • B A Grema Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital
  • A O Ashimi Federal Medical Centre
Keywords: knowledge, Nigeria, outpatients, reproductive-age women, Zika virus

Abstract

Background: Nigeria is not insulated from the global threat of Zika virus disease (ZVD) because of international travel and the presence of Zika-virus-carrying mosquitoes in the country. A paucity of studies exists concerning knowledge of ZVD among atrisk populations. Thus, the necessity for assessment of knowledge of ZVD among reproductive-age women in general outpatient setting. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 377 reproductive-age women attending a Nigerian tertiary hospital’s general outpatient clinic. Their knowledge of ZVD was assessed using a structured questionnaire. A chi-square test was used to assess the relationship between participants’ sociodemographics and ZVD knowledge. Results: The participants’ median age was 27.0 ± 7.19 years. Though 68.97% of participants were aware of ZVD, only 23.85% of those had good knowledge of ZVD. Their median knowledge score was 57.14%. Participants’ age (< 27 years) (p = 0.00399), tribe (Hausa) (p = 0.0174) and monogamous family type (p = 0.0108) were associated with good knowledge of ZVD. Only 5% knew that ZVD is transmitted through both mosquito bites and a sexual route. Some 80% were unaware that everybody was at risk of ZVD but 80.77% knew it could cause microcephaly. Insecticide-treated nets (80.77%), environmental sanitation (78.08%) and indoor insecticide spraying (58.85%) were preventive measures reported by most participants; a minority reported mosquito repellents (28.46%), wearing of protective clothing (36.15%), and traditional medicines (20.00%) as preventive measures. They lacked knowledge of prevention of sexual transmission. Conclusion: Participants’ knowledge of ZVD was inadequate despite the high awareness rate. Stakeholders may need to address existing knowledge gaps through effective public enlightenment. (Full text of the research articles are available online at www.medpharm.tandfonline.com/ojfp) S Afr Fam Pract 2017; DOI: 10.1080/20786190.2017.1313484

Author Biographies

G C Michael, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital
Department of Family Medicine Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital Kano Nigeria
I Aliyu, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital
Department of Paediatrics Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital Kano Nigeria
B A Grema, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital
Department of Family Medicine Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital Kano Nigeria
A O Ashimi, Federal Medical Centre
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Federal Medical Centre Birnin Kudu Nigeria
Section
Research Articles