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<p>Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is the leading cause of congenital viral infection worldwide and an important cause of neonatal morbidity and long-term neurodevelopmental impairment. Because no licensed CMV vaccine is currently available and antenatal CMV screening policies vary internationally, prevention in many settings continues to rely heavily on maternal awareness, hygiene-based risk-reduction measures, and effective antenatal counseling. However, data on CMV awareness among women in Palestine remain limited. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted between 16 November and 31 December 2025 among women residing in Palestine who were currently pregnant or had previously experienced at least one pregnancy. Data were collected using a structured Arabic questionnaire adapted from previously published instruments and distributed via Google Forms using snowball sampling through social media platforms. The survey assessed awareness, knowledge, and preventive practices related to CMV and other pregnancy-relevant infections. Descriptive statistics, bivariate analyses, and multivariable logistic regression were used to identify factors associated with CMV awareness. A total of 520 women were included in the analysis. Awareness of CMV was low, with only 19.0% of participants reporting that they had heard of the infection and 10.8% reporting that they had received information about its risks during pregnancy. Knowledge of CMV was also limited: 25.4% correctly identified mother-to-fetus transmission, 12.5% knew their CMV antibody status, and 66.9% were unable to identify any manifestation of congenital CMV infection. Women in the high-risk group were more likely to be aware of CMV than those in the average-risk group (22.7% vs. 11.4%, <i>p</i> = 0.003). In multivariable analysis, high-risk status (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.14, 95% CI 1.22–3.75; <i>p</i> = 0.008) and university/postgraduate education (aOR 2.40, 95% CI 1.15–5.02; <i>p</i> = 0.020) were independently associated with CMV awareness, whereas maternal age was not. Uptake of self-paid CMV screening was very low (2.7%). Among respondents to this online cross-sectional survey, awareness and practical knowledge of CMV were limited, particularly regarding transmission, congenital manifestations, immunity status, and screening. These findings identify important gaps in CMV-related antenatal education in the surveyed Palestinian population. Integrating structured CMV counseling into routine prenatal care, particularly for women with frequent contact with young children, may improve maternal awareness and support congenital CMV prevention efforts.</p>

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Awareness, knowledge, and preventive practices regarding cytomegalovirus among pregnant and previously pregnant women in Palestine: a cross-sectional study

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年6月30日

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  • Christina Naser,
  • Ola Qatu,
  • Reema Morales,
  • Leena Forsan,
  • Sara Omar,
  • Saja Natsheh,
  • Seya Arafeh,
  • Meera AbuAli,
  • Dema Albasha,
  • Yara Abuali,
  • Salahaldeen Deeb,
  • Alhareth M. Amro

摘要

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is the leading cause of congenital viral infection worldwide and an important cause of neonatal morbidity and long-term neurodevelopmental impairment. Because no licensed CMV vaccine is currently available and antenatal CMV screening policies vary internationally, prevention in many settings continues to rely heavily on maternal awareness, hygiene-based risk-reduction measures, and effective antenatal counseling. However, data on CMV awareness among women in Palestine remain limited. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted between 16 November and 31 December 2025 among women residing in Palestine who were currently pregnant or had previously experienced at least one pregnancy. Data were collected using a structured Arabic questionnaire adapted from previously published instruments and distributed via Google Forms using snowball sampling through social media platforms. The survey assessed awareness, knowledge, and preventive practices related to CMV and other pregnancy-relevant infections. Descriptive statistics, bivariate analyses, and multivariable logistic regression were used to identify factors associated with CMV awareness. A total of 520 women were included in the analysis. Awareness of CMV was low, with only 19.0% of participants reporting that they had heard of the infection and 10.8% reporting that they had received information about its risks during pregnancy. Knowledge of CMV was also limited: 25.4% correctly identified mother-to-fetus transmission, 12.5% knew their CMV antibody status, and 66.9% were unable to identify any manifestation of congenital CMV infection. Women in the high-risk group were more likely to be aware of CMV than those in the average-risk group (22.7% vs. 11.4%, p = 0.003). In multivariable analysis, high-risk status (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.14, 95% CI 1.22–3.75; p = 0.008) and university/postgraduate education (aOR 2.40, 95% CI 1.15–5.02; p = 0.020) were independently associated with CMV awareness, whereas maternal age was not. Uptake of self-paid CMV screening was very low (2.7%). Among respondents to this online cross-sectional survey, awareness and practical knowledge of CMV were limited, particularly regarding transmission, congenital manifestations, immunity status, and screening. These findings identify important gaps in CMV-related antenatal education in the surveyed Palestinian population. Integrating structured CMV counseling into routine prenatal care, particularly for women with frequent contact with young children, may improve maternal awareness and support congenital CMV prevention efforts.