Knowledge and Risk Perception of Vulnerable Women on Zika Virus Infection at Primary Health Care Level in Brazil

Abstract BackgroundThe ZIKV infection outbreak in Brazil surged from late 2014, peaking in 2015. Vulnerable low-income groups, with inadequate housing conditions or sanitation were most affected by ZIKV-related neurologic syndrome. We aim to detect basal knowledge and beliefs, as well as knowledge gaps among vulnerable women.MethodsA cross-sectional study was carried out in two low-income urban community settings: a small municipality in the Center West with few ZIKV infection cases and a large municipality in the Southeast hard-hit by the epidemic. We developed an open-ended data collection instrument centered on awareness of ZIKV infection, sources of information, possible causes, symptoms, risk perception and consequences for pregnant women, and applied it to vulnerable women after informed consent. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and content coded for thematic analysis.ResultsSeventy-nine women responded. The majority had some knowledge of the disease, its causes and consequences but distanced themselves from ZIKV infection. Health services in both communities did not respond adequately and did not contribute to communicate risk for women and children. ConclusionsIn an uncertain future scenario as to reemergence of disease, we propose that awareness will be diminished and acquired knowledge lost. This is a great public health challenge that must be overcome to prepare both vulnerable groups and the health system for public health emergencies.