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Appraisal of the Preparedness of Midwives and Nurses in Bahrain to Conduct Early Screening for Zika Virus Infection in Pregnant Women

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 July 2017

Asokan G. V. ,
Mariam Mohammed Baqer Nama ,
Feryal Juma Salman ,
Zainab Habib Ali AlGhareeb ,
Ali Moosa Almoosawi ,
Ridha Abdulla Al Hammam  and
Muyssar Sabri Awadhalla
Asokan G. V.*
Affiliation:
Public Health Program, College of Health Sciences, University of Bahrain, Kingdom of Bahrain (Dr Asokan G.V.)
Mariam Mohammed Baqer Nama
Affiliation:
Nursing Program, College of Health Sciences, University of Bahrain, Kingdom of Bahrain (Ms Nama, Ms Salman, Ms AlGhareeb, Mr Almoosawi)
Feryal Juma Salman
Affiliation:
Nursing Program, College of Health Sciences, University of Bahrain, Kingdom of Bahrain (Ms Nama, Ms Salman, Ms AlGhareeb, Mr Almoosawi)
Zainab Habib Ali AlGhareeb
Affiliation:
Nursing Program, College of Health Sciences, University of Bahrain, Kingdom of Bahrain (Ms Nama, Ms Salman, Ms AlGhareeb, Mr Almoosawi)
Ali Moosa Almoosawi
Affiliation:
Nursing Program, College of Health Sciences, University of Bahrain, Kingdom of Bahrain (Ms Nama, Ms Salman, Ms AlGhareeb, Mr Almoosawi)
Ridha Abdulla Al Hammam
Affiliation:
Salmanya Medical Complex, Ministry of Health, Kingdom of Bahrain (Mr Al Hammam)
Muyssar Sabri Awadhalla
Affiliation:
Nursing Program, College of Health Sciences, WHO Collaborating Centre for Nursing Development, University of Bahrain, Kingdom of Bahrain (Mrs Awadhalla)
*
Correspondence and reprint requests to Dr. Asokan G.V. MSc (Epid), MACE, Head, Public Health Program, College of Health Sciences, University of Bahrain, Post Box-32038, Kingdom of Bahrain (e-mail: [email protected]).
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Abstract

Objective

To appraise the awareness and knowledge levels of midwives and nurses concerning early screening for Zika virus (ZIKV) infection among pregnant women attending health care facilities in Bahrain.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional, purposely chosen study of Bahraini and expatriate midwives, nurses, and supervisors employed in gynecology/obstetrics and labor wards of Salmanya hospital, a maternity hospital, 4 private hospitals, and health centers in Bahrain. The chosen individuals were invited to participate in a survey on awareness and knowledge of early screening for ZIKV infection.

Results

Of 266 midwives and nurses employed in the study sites, 170 (64%) consented to participate in the study. Of those who agreed to participate, 76 were midwives and 94 were nurses. Admittedly, 39% of midwives and nurses were unaware of ZIKV infection. The grand mean knowledge score in the study was 39%. Expatriate midwives and nurses scored better than did Bahrainis (P<0.001). The grand mean knowledge scores of evening and night shift duty participants were significantly higher than those of the day duty participants.

Conclusions

The awareness and knowledge scores of midwives and nurses concerning ZIKV infection were inadequate, which supported our hypothesis. By harnessing modern technology and support systems, lifelong learning can be used as a means to enhance preparedness for public health crises such as ZIKV. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2018;12:7–13)

Keywords

Zika viruspregnant womenpreparednessmidwivesnurses
Type
Brief Reports
Information
Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness , Volume 12 , Issue 1 , February 2018 , pp. 7 - 13
Copyright
Copyright © Society for Disaster Medicine and Public Health, Inc. 2017 

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