eLearning significantly improves maternity professionals' knowledge of the congenital cytomegalovirus prevention guidelines.

AIMS: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a preventable cause of neurodevelopmental disability. Australian guidelines recommend that pregnant women are informed about CMV to reduce their risk of infection; however, less than 10% of maternity health professionals routinely provide prevention advice. The aim was to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of an eLearning course for midwives to improve knowledge and confidence about CMV. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Participants undertaking the course between March and November 2020 were invited to complete an evaluation questionnaire: before the course (T1), immediately after (T2) and three months post completion (T3). A linear mixed model was used to evaluate change in participant scores; P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Midwives (316/363, 87%), midwifery students (29/363, 8%) and nurses (18/363, 5%) participated. At T1 80% indicated they had not received education about CMV. Total adjusted mean scores for questionnaires completed between T1 (n = 363) and T2 (n = 238) increased significantly (from 17.2 to 22.8, P < 0.001). Limited available T3 scores (n = 27) (-1.7, P < 0.001), while lower than T2, remained higher than at T1 (+3.6, P < 0.001). Participants' awareness of CMV information resources improved from 10 to 97% from T1 to T2. Confidence in providing CMV advice increased from 6 to 95% between T1 and T2 (P < 0.001) and was maintained at T3. Almost all (99%) participants indicated they would recommend the course to colleagues. CONCLUSION: Participants who completed the eLearning course had significantly improved knowledge and confidence in providing advice about CMV. Programs targeting other maternity health professionals should be considered, to further support the implementation of the congenital CMV prevention guidelines.

Knowledge of congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) in pregnant women in Australia is low, and improved with education.

BACKGROUND: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is the most common congenital infection and can cause hearing loss and neurodevelopmental disability in infected infants. International research shows women have limited knowledge about CMV. AIMS: To assess pregnant women's knowledge and attitudes about CMV before and after provision of information. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cross-sectional survey of pregnant women between November 2017 and February 2018 at two Australian hospitals. Participating women completed an initial survey on maternal characteristics, knowledge of infections, and CMV risk behaviours. Participants were then given an information leaflet and completed a follow-up survey. RESULTS: Four hundred and fifty-seven women completed the initial survey, of whom 73/457 (16%) had heard of CMV. Behaviours increasing risk of CMV transmission were common: 58% reported regularly kissing their child on the lips; 57% did not always wash their hands after changing a wet nappy. Knowledge about CMV significantly improved after reading the leaflet in the 145 women completing the follow-up survey. More women correctly identified that CMV could cause deafness in a baby (35% before, 85% after), was spread by saliva (38% vs 94%) or urine (27% vs 86%) and prevented by hand-washing (55% vs 99%; all P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Knowledge about CMV was low in pregnant women. An educational leaflet was effective in improving knowledge.

Congenital cytomegalovirus infection in pregnancy and the neonate: consensus recommendations for prevention, diagnosis, and therapy.

Congenital cytomegalovirus is the most frequent, yet under-recognised, infectious cause of newborn malformation in developed countries. Despite its clinical and public health importance, questions remain regarding the best diagnostic methods for identifying maternal and neonatal infection, and regarding optimal prevention and therapeutic strategies for infected mothers and neonates. The absence of guidelines impairs global efforts to decrease the effect of congenital cytomegalovirus. Data in the literature suggest that congenital cytomegalovirus infection remains a research priority, but data are yet to be translated into clinical practice. An informal International Congenital Cytomegalovirus Recommendations Group was convened in 2015 to address these questions and to provide recommendations for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. On the basis of consensus discussions and a review of the literature, we do not support universal screening of mothers and the routine use of cytomegalovirus immunoglobulin for prophylaxis or treatment of infected mothers. However, treatment guidelines for infected neonates were recommended. Consideration must be given to universal neonatal screening for cytomegalovirus to facilitate early detection and intervention for sensorineural hearing loss and developmental delay, where appropriate. The group agreed that education and prevention strategies for mothers were beneficial, and that recommendations will need continual updating as further data become available.