Knowledge of Zika Virus (ZIKV) among pregnant women in Ogun state, Nigeria.

Zika virus is a mosquito-borne viral disease caused by Zika flavivirus. This study assessed the level of knowledge of Zika virus disease among pregnant rural women in Ogun State, Nigeria. A purposive sampling technique was used to select 150 pregnant women. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results revealed that 96 percent of the pregnant women had acquired at least primary school education. Seventy four percent of them had a manageable household size of 1-3 persons. Family and friends (68.90%) were the main sources of information of Zika Virus. Awareness score ranged between 1 and 8 with mean score of 1.50. Majority of the respondents had scores less than the mean score indicating low awareness of Zika Virus. The study further revealed that the knowledge score ranged between 1 and 6 with mean score of 1.74. Majority of the respondents had scores less than the mean indicating low knowledge of Zika Virus. Age (β = 0.02,) Education (β = 2.10), awareness (β = 1.19) and information on Zika virus (β = 1.24) were significantly related to their knowledge of Zika Virus. The study concluded that pregnant women had low awareness and poor knowledge of Zika virus disease. The study recommended that government, health sector professionals/practitioners, rural/community leaders should carry a nationwide campaign about the disease and more effective education programmes among people especially in areas where the epidemic of mosquito-borne diseases prevail.