Survey of Students Regarding Zika Infection: Is the Next Generation Aware of the Dangers?

Abstract

In 2016 and 2017 an outbreak of the Zika virus in new locales shocked populations into awareness of the disease and of its imputed ability to cause serious fetal abnormalities, particularly microcephaly. There was a major reduction in travel by people of child-bearing age. But the temporary regression in the spread, and preoccupation with COVID-19, seem to have overshadowed concern about Zika virus. In order to investigate this phenomenon, we conducted an online survey of 157 high-school students from four schools in different parts of the United States regarding their knowledge, practices, and attitudes about Zika virus. The mean age of the respondents was 16.4 ± 1.1 years, 55% were girls, and 60% attended public (rather than private) schools. Most students (70%) had taken no steps to prevent Zika, but said they would tell their parents or a physician if they were exposed. They relied primarily on school and the internet (76% and 72%, respectively) as trusted sources of information about the virus. The majority (73%) said they would spend some time to learn more about Zika; girls exhibited more concern than did boys. Half (50%) of respondents knew the signs and symptoms of Zika, but only 20% knew all the ways Zika could be transmitted and 31% why Zika prevention was crucial for pregnant women and their partners. The results of this study suggest that comprehensive national preventive healthcare educational programs are needed.