A 2-Min Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Awareness Video Improves Pregnant Women's Knowledge and Planned Adherence to Hygiene Precautions

Abstract

Introduction: Congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) is a leading infectious cause of life-long neurodevelopmental disabilities, but public awareness of CMV is low. This study evaluated a short educational video on cCMV for its acceptability and impact on pregnant women's knowledge and planned hygiene adherence. Materials and Methods: Participants were pregnant women recruited from an Australian tertiary maternity hospital clinic and social media (May 2023 to May 2024). Participants completed online surveys: before the video (T1), immediately after (T2), and 8 weeks later (T3). Linear mixed effects models assessed changes in knowledge and intended adherence to CMV precautions, adjusting for previous CMV education, and parity. Results: A total of n = 296 eligible pregnant women were recruited, n = 270 completed the T1 survey and watched the video. Participants (n = 270) had a median age of 33 years (range: 18–43 years), 21% were multiparous and 30% had received previous CMV education. Of the 270 participants who completed the T1 survey and viewed the video, 202 (75%) and 109 (40%) completed surveys at T2 and T3 respectively. Adjusted total mean CMV knowledge scores increased significantly between T1 and T2 (+2.38; p < 0.001) and remained higher at T3 (+2.14; p < 0.001). Self-reported adherence to hygiene precautions improved from T1 to T2 (p < 0.001) and were maintained for four out of five key behaviours at T3. Participants (99%) found the content valuable, and 91% agreed that CMV precautions were “easy” to follow. Conclusion: A CMV education video is a simple, effective method to improve pregnant women's knowledge and planned adherence to hygiene precautions.